MamwaMuugmjufwiuLi  i.i  i  i.i  ii iii 


A  Aan's 


W 
^ 


CE 


AVEKY  MACALPii. 


■ 


OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY 


''Again  the  young  girl  stood  bi/  the  side  of  the  harmonium,  where 
Mr.  Boynton  had  settled  hhnself  to  accompany  her^ 

[See  page  97.) 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE 


H  Novel 


BY 


AVERY    MACALPINE 


NEW  YORK 

HARPER    &    BROTHERS,  FRANKLIN    SQUARE 
1891 


Copyright,  1891,  by  Avery  MacAlpinb 


All  rights  reserved. 


ILLUSTEATIONS. 


^^ Again  the  young  girl  stood  by  the  side  of  the 

harmonium,  where  Mr.  Boynton  had  settled 

himself  to  accompany  her  " Frontispiece 

"  '/'m  thinkin^  some  of  ridin^  over  to  Sydney''s 

farm  to-morrow  mornm^ '''' faces  page     12 

"  '  Good-bye^  Afiss  Allstair,''  he  said;  '  thank  you 

for  a  delightful  day'''  .  .  .  ,  .  .  .  '*  "  24 
*'  He  fell  at  full  length  at  the  feet  of  his  com- 
panions"   *'         "        34 

'■''Godfrey  stuck  his  spurs  deep  into  her  sides; 

she  gave   a   whinny  of  reproachful  protest 

and  plunged  forward"" "         "        54 

"  ''Look  P  she  said,  *  straight  before  us.    A  horse 

is  lying  across  the  road  P  " '*         "        60 

*'  He  stopped  with  his  pencil  suspended,  listening 

to  the  unusual  sound  of  horses  on  the  7'oad'^  "  "  78 
^''  Milly  had  sunk  tipon  the  cushions  of  the  chair, 

tvith  her  head  drooping  against  its  high  back"  *'  "  114 
"^  mist  rose  between  him  and  the  busy  throng 

coming  and  going " *'         "      130 

''''Rapjnng  with  the  handle  of  her  whip  upon  the 

casement" "         "      174 


Vi  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

"  *  KeeborSy*  he  said,  *  arte  glass  is  as  guid  as  twa 

when  man  and  maid  may  be  pledged  the- 

githei'*^^ faces  page  190 

" '  \VJiat  the  device  aih  you  ?    I  asked  after  Lady 

OalbraWCs  health.  CanH  you  answer?''"  .  "  "  236 
"  A  smothered  cough^  followed  by  '  The  carriage 

is  at  the  door^  mHord,^  brought  Godfrey  to 

his  feet  upon  the  hearth-rug ".....  "  *'  260 
"  The  burly  guardian  of  the  peace  was  already 

s^uggesting  the  expediency  of  a  '  stretcher '  and 

conveyance  to  the  nearest  mortuary''''  ..."  "  2'/8 
^^  He  beheld  her  standing  alone  near  the  centre 

of  the  room,  clad  from  head  to  foot  in  the 

spotless  white  of  her  wedding-robe "  .  .  .  "  "  286 
*' '  You liar  !    What  are  you  doin'  on  m,y 

premises  V'' "         "      298 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 


CHAPTEK  I. 

A  LEVEL  plain  of  waving  grain  stretched  west- 
ward to  the  setting  sun  ;  a  monotonous  gray-green 
illimitable  expanse,  with  few  trees  to  shade  or 
bushes  to  break  the  even  surface.  Scarcely  an  un- 
dulation in  the  green  plain  served  to  vary  the  tire- 
some stretch.  One  could  believe  that  the  sea  of 
bearded  stalks  bent  and  raised  their  heads  again 
without  limit  all  the  way  between  the  wheat-farm 
of  Sandy  Alistair  and  the  ocean  hundreds  of  miles 
away. 

Yet  where  the  horizon  dipped  to  meet  the  dim 
distance  of  the  plain  there  might  have  been  dis- 
cerned on  a  clear  day  deeper  shadows  and  an  irreg- 
ular line.  There  the  earth  rose  in  varying  vistas 
that  betokened  shadowy  hills  and  open  wide  vah 
leys  lying  bet^veen.  But  at  that  distance  from  the 
farm  the  outline  was  indistinct,  and  melted  into 
what  could  easily  have  been  mistaken  for  low-lying 
clouds. 

A  low-roofed  frame  house  with  rambling  out- 
buildings stood  somewhere  near  the  centre  of  vast 


2  A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE. 

wheat-fields,  and  served  as  a  focus  for  the  eye  in 
all  that  waste  of  waving  green.  A  few  stunted 
trees  stood  behind  the  house — possibly  an  offshoot 
of  one  of  the  pine-belts  that  intersect  the  State  at 
irregular  intervals.  Bufe  that  was  before  civiliza- 
tion had  marched  so  far  and  marched  so  rapidly 
with  its  plough  and  pruning-hook  ;  to-day  there 
scarce  remains  an  unmolested  glade  to  whisper  of 
what  that  Western  world  was  before  man  hewed 
and  sowed  and  reaped  its  broad  lands. 

Much  of  the  primitive  grandeur  has  departed 
with  the  introduction  of  modern  cultivation ;  the 
mechanical  tilling  of  the  soil,  the  throbbing  plough, 
and  whirling  reaper  have  almost  obliterated  the 
memory  of  those  past  silent  days. 

Besides  the  dwarfed  growth — now  for  the.  most 
part  represented  by  stumps  or  skeleton  branches — 
that  stood  at  no  great  distance  from  the  dwelling, 
there  was  also  a  young  plantation  of  hardy  trees, 
planted  and  coaxed  into  comparative  thrif tiness  by 
Sandy's  fostering  care  ;  but  aside  from  this  there 
v/as  little  attempt  at  variety  in  the  culture  of  the 
soil. 

Approaching  to  the  very  threshold  itself  there 
was,  to  be  sure,  a  field  of  rapidly  growing  potato- 
vines  ;  in  a  limited  space  to  the  left  some  of  the 
commoner  sorts  of  garden  vegetables  throve,  the 
long  runners  of  beans  predominating,  either  from 
some  latent  faith  in  their  ultimate  yield,  or  because 
they  had  the  habit  of  groAving  without  asking 
attention  or  exacting  care.     Everywhere  else  the 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  3 

long  shafts  of  the  heavy-headed  grain  grew  almost 
to  the  very  door  of  the  house.  Even  the  road  that 
led  to  the  grassy  plain  beyond  had  been  made  by 
trampling  down  the  young  wheat  and  cutting  a 
way  through  its  broken  blades  of  tender  springing 
green. 

Each  separate  stalk  had  its  equivalent  in  coveted 
^^cash/^  as  Sandy  Alistair  was  wont  to  remark, 
and  so  there  could  be  no  sentiment  wasted  in  im- 
proving and  extending  the  clearing  around  the 
house.  Indeed,  it  seemed  possible  that  sentiment 
had  stopped  short  at  that  wooden  structure  itself. 
No  flower  of  fancy  had  been  allowed  to  adorn  its 
severe  construction.  It  closely  resembled  in  out- 
line some  of  the  first  efforts  at  representation  that 
Sandy  remembered  to  have  essayed  in  those  far-off 
days  in  New  England,  when  with  slate  and  pencil 
he  had  laboriously  acquired  the  rudiments  of  what 
he  was  pleased  to  term  his  education. 

Happily,  education  in  its  broader  sense  is  not 
confined  to  Murray  or  the  higher  mathematics,  else 
Sandy  perhaps  would  have  fallen  short  of  any  stand- 
ard upheld  by  the  schools.  Albeit  he  had  not  in 
those  days  drawn  on  his  smudgy  slate  to  no  pur- 
pose four  straight  walls,  with  an  outlined  door  set 
impartially  in  the  centre,  equally  well-planned 
windows  of  four  panes  each,  all  surmounted  by  a 
peaked  roof  that  had  a  tendency  to  lean  threaten- 
ingly from  the  perpendicular.  As  near  as  mem- 
ory could  reproduce  this  childish  effort  in  archi- 
tecture, the  house  had  raised  in  the  midst  of  the 


4  A  MAK'S  CONSCIENCE. 

boundless  plain,  leaving  the  cabin  which  Sandy 
had  first  reared  to  fulfil  the  utilitarian  office  of 
washhouse  or  other  adjunct. 

An  unexpected  improvement  to  the  severe  sim- 
plicity of  his  first  plan  had  of  late  been  added  to 
the  frame  building,  fundamentally  the  result  of 
the  exigencies  of  the  climate,  but  more  directly  the 
outgrowth  of  unceasing  importunity  on  the  part  of 
Sandy's  only  child,  Millicent.  She  had  pleaded  in 
every  tone  known  to  wheedling  womanhood  that  a 
^^ piazza'^  was  necessary  to  her  further  equable 
existence ;  that,  indeed,  she  urged,  there  was  at 
present  no  place  fit  to  sit  in  ;  that  the  kitchen  was 
intolerable  ;  that  her  bedroom  was  hot  and  stuffy  ; 
and  that  their  joint  living-room,  which  also  an- 
swered the  requirements  of  her  father's  nightly 
repose,  was  no  longer  to  be  endured. 

Sandy  sighed.  This  possibly  was  the  outcome 
of  sending .  his  daughter  to  a  boarding-school  in 
their  nearest  large  city,  where  she  had  passed  the 
greater  part  of  the  last  three  years.  These  pre- 
sumably were  the  ideas  instilled  by  those  purveyors 
of  learning  and  polish  to  whom  he  had  intrusted 
the  education  of  his  child.  It  was  lamentable  the 
false  notions  of  life  and  luxury  that  were  imbibed 
along  with  Smith's  Geography  and  a  rudimentary 
knowledge  of  the  use  of  the  pianoforte. 

This  instrument,  the  epitome  of  freehanded  in- 
dulgence, Sandy  had  purchased  at  great  outlay  on 
the  occasion  of  a  visit  to  St.  Paul's  to  fetch  his 
daughter    home  after  her    last  term   at   school. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  5 

Sandy  looked  upon  the  selection  and  removal  of 
Millicent^s  piano  to  their  distant  home  as  an  event 
worthy  of  a  place  in  the  State  chronicles.  The 
ways  and  means  for  its  accomplishment  had  cost 
him  several  sleepless  nights,  but  had  at  length 
been  achieved.  The  piano  now  stood  in  the  cor- 
ner of  the  large  front  room,  covered  with  a  black 
India  rubber  covering,  and  conveying  in  outward 
appearance  about  the  same  idea  of  cheer  that  the 
contemplation  of  an  undertaker's  window  suggests. 

The  question  of  adding  a  verandah  to  the  house 
had  been  raised  by  Milly  soon  after  her  return  from 
school,  but  the  consideration  of  further  outlay  had 
not  met  with  any  very  pronounced  approval  on  the 
part  of  her  father. 

'^  Y'  were  born  in  this  house  and  brung  up  here, 
and  never  see  the  necessity  of  settin'  anywhars 
but  in  the  kitchen  or  the  big  room  or  the  doorstep. 
What  notion's  got  inter  your  pretty  head  dov/n 
to  St.  Paul's  as  to  make  you  discontented  with 
your  old  home  ?"  he  asked,  with  a  questioning  look 
at  his  daughter,  as  though  longing  to  penetrate 
this  new  phase  of  her  development. 

She  did  not  answer  directly,  but  on  her  way 
through  the  room  she  stooped — with  one  arm 
thrown  round  his  thin  shoulders,  clothed  with  the 
loose-throated  flannel  shirt  he  wore — and  kissed 
him. 

'^  I  sw'ar,"  he  ejaculated  after  she  had  gone,  '^  if 
that  thar  golden-headed,  rosy-cheeked,  blue-eyed 
baby  hasn't  al'ays  had  her  own  way  with  me  !   I've 


C  A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

never  held  my  own  with  her,  never  since  the  fust 
streak  of  light  fell  across  her  blessed  face  lyin^  in 
the  cradle  I  hollered  out  for  her  ''fore  she  was  born. 
And  when  her  mother  was  took  so  soon,  it  did 
seem  to  me  that  no  baby's  fingers  in  all  this  world 
ever  got  such  a  tight  grip  on  a  man's  heart  as 
them  little  pink  ones  did.'^ 

Sandy  got  up  and  changed  to  another  hard 
wooden  chair,  while  he  exclaimed  impatiently  : 

^^  Psha' !  she'll  have  her  own  way  ;  that  piazza 
is  as  good  as  built,  so  far  as  I  can  jedge.  I  might 
as  well  ride  over  and  get  Smithies  to  come  and 
lend  a  hand.  The  sooner  it's  done  the  sooner  Til 
forget  what  a  blame  f ule  that  girl  makes  o'  me 
with  her  wheedlin'  ways  and  her  '  Please,  daddy,' 
and  her  kisses,  and  the  Lor'  knows  what ! " 

Sandy  shook  himself  impatiently,  and  strode  out 
through  the  kitchen. 

Seeing  Milly  standing  on  the  threshold,  tall, 
graceful,  shapely,  his  intent  took  the  form  of 
resolve ;  as  he  passed  her  he  remarked  a  bit 
shamefacedly  : 

^^I  guess  ril  ride  over  to  the  Cross  Roads  'fore 
it  gets  any  hotter.     Want  anything  ?" 

She  again  did  not  answer  him  directly,  but  this 
time  put  both  her  arms  around  his  neck,  saying 
softly,  ^^You  dear  old  daddy  !" 

Soon  after,  as  he  was  tightening  the  girth  about 
Winona,  the  strains  of  an  inspiriting  waltz  were 
borne  out  to  him  through  the  open  window,  awak- 
ening a  pleased  smile  of  inward  satisfaction  that 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  7 

lighted  his  faded  eyes  and  softened  the  many  deep- 
set  lines  of  his  thin  bronzed  face. 

Millicent  played  on  ;  she  was  enjoying  the  piazza 
in  prospective,  and  also,  with  characteristic  fem- 
ininity, the  small  triumph  of  her  well-conceived 
plan. 

That  evening,  as  Sandy  threw  himself  out  of  the 
saddle,  flinging  the  bridle  to  a  boy  standing  lazily 
watching  his  return,  he  forgot  to  give  the  custom- 
ary instructions  regarding  the  mare^s  fodder  and 
stabling.  His  mind  was  evidently  preoccupied 
with  some  train  of  thought  that  excluded  even  the 
expected  reference  to  the  lad^s  good-for-nothing 
habits  of  supreme  laziness. 

Earely  did  Jim  escape  some  good-natured  gibe 
from  his  master  on  such  occasions. 

^''Lor^,^Hhe  boy  ejaculated,  as  Sandy  left  him 
abruptly,  ^^  what's  ever  comie  to  the  boss  ?  'Tain't 
of  en  he  lets  a  feller  off  s  light's  this.  He  must  a' 
heerd  some  news  or  'nother  to  make  him  in  sech 
a  bustle." 

But  whatever  might  have  been  the  cause  of 
Sandy's  abstraction,  it  did  not  wear  off  at  once — 
not  when  he  had  kissed  his  daughter,  nor  when 
Hannah,  the  housekeeper  and  valuable  woman  of 
all  work,  had  placed  before  him  his  supper  of  cold 
boiled  beef  and  the  good-sized  loaf  whose  quality 
she  greatly  prided  herself  upon. 

''  'Pears  like  as  tho'  y'd  lost  yer  appetite,"  she 
remarked  sententiously,  glancing  at  the  table,  and 
observing  the  food  scarcely  tasted.     '^^Hope  you 


8  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

hev^n^t  been  sp'ilin^  yer  stummick  with  them  nasty 
dram-drinkin's  the  settlement's  beset  with.  The 
Lord  '11  snatch  up  the  Cross  Roads  or  burn  it  with 
brimstone  'fore  long,  jest  to  keep  the  plague  from 
spreadin'/'  Hannah  continued.  Her  view  of  the 
omnipotence  of  Providence  was,  it  cannot  be  de- 
nied, a  somewhat  material  one,  and  had  little  in 
common  with  more  advanced  theories  of  natural 
development.  If  He  saw  fit  to  make  an  example 
of  the  Cros^  Roads  by  wiping  it  out  of  existence 
with  one  clean  stroke  of  supernatural  power,  Han- 
nah was  not  the  one  to  deny  the  lesson  implied  in 
the  miracle.  The  temptations  that  rendered  the 
small  settlement  attractive  to  many  of  the  dwellers 
in  the  scattered  houses  of  the  farmers  were  all  in 
her  eyes  dangerous,  if  not  damning.  She  did  not 
believe  that  any  visitor  to  that  region  escaped 
without  yielding  to  its  allurements,  even  if  escap- 
ing actual  contamination. 

Although  she  would  have  answered  with  her  life 
for  Sandy's  sound  judgment  and  consequent  well- 
doing, she  could  not  nevertheless  resist  using  upon 
him  the  lash  of  her  suspicions  when  commenting 
on  his  rare  visits  to  the  little  hamlet. 

^'  Like  as  not  you  felt  kinder  tuckered  out  arter 
yer  ride,  and  visited  them  s'loons  rather  too  of 'en," 
she  remarked. 

Sandy  had  no  thought  of  rebuking  the  woman 
as  she  cleared  away  the  meal  and  tidied  the  room. 
He  was  too  well  accustomed  to  her  pessimistic 
views  of  humanity  in  general,  and  of  his  own  short- 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE.  9 

comings  in  particular^  to  attempt  any  defence  or 
give  more  than  a  passing  word  in  reply.  He  sat 
for  some  time  in  silence,  smoking  his  pipe,  with 
his  chair  tilted  back  against  the  wall,  and  his  chip 
hat  pulled  well  down  over  his  ears.  A  few  strag- 
gling locks  of  gray  hair  showed  beneath  the  broad- 
brimmed  hat,  and  some  fell  forward  at  the  sides, 
mingling  with  the  unkempt  beard  and  whiskers. 

His  features  were  well  defined,  and  not  without 
a  certain  attraction  of  form  and  outline.  But 
they,  like  the  whole  man,  had  been  modified  and 
altered  during  his  life  of  toil  in  a  climate  of  quickly 
varying  extremes.  Deep  lines  furrowed  his  brow 
and  sat  in  well-defined  wrinkles  about  his  thin 
lips,  which  even  his  unshaven  beard  failed  alto- 
gether to  conceal ;  his  eyes  were  so  light  in  shade 
that  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  define  their 
original  color,  but  the  expression  was  pleasing, 
and  often  caught  some  fire  from  the  quizzical 
smile  that  lighted  them.  Like  many  persons  Avho 
pass  the  greater  part  of  life  separated  from  ready 
intercourse  with  men  and  their  requirements,  his 
face  held  a  reserved  passivity  that  was  well-nigh 
impenetrable.  Where  a  nature  is  left  to  almost 
exclusive  self -communing,  few  passions  chase  one 
another  through  the  slow  moving  brain,  leaving 
the  impress  of  what  we  term  expression.  One 
thought  gives  place  to  another  with  sluggish  de- 
liberation, showing  no  sign  of  conflict.  Physical 
changes  leave  this  mark  in  time  on  all  flesh,  but 
their  inroad,  as  in  the  case  of   Sandy  Alistair, 


10  A   MAIJ^'S  COKSCIENCE. 

comes  rather  from  without  than  from  within.  The 
rain  and  the  frost  and  the  sun  had  more  to  do 
with  the  ploughing  of  deep  lines  in  his  impassive 
countenance  than  any  quickly  varying  emotions  of 
inward  consciousness. 

lie  would  sometimes  sit  for  hours  in  his  daugh- 
ter's company  without  exchanging  half-a-dozen 
words  with  her.  Not  that  this  precluded  an  ab- 
sorbing interest  on  his  part  in  her  lightest  word, 
nor  a  cheerful  unrestrained  confidence  on  hers. 
Where  one  is  eighteen,  with  a  perfect  physical 
organization,  no  very  marked  ambitions  and  few 
cares,  it  is  easy  to  find  subjects  for  endless  mono- 
logues. 

On  this  occasion  there  was  the  much-anticipated 
alteration  in  the  house  which  demanded  a  running 
commentary  from  Milly.  There  was  also  the 
description  of  Jim^s  accident  with  the  reaping 
machine,  which  had  in  some  way  caught  his  hand 
and  left  him  the  worse  by  the  top  of  a  finger. 
Then,  too,  there  was  the  ^^  buggy, ^^  Millicent^s 
especial  property,  which  needed  re  varnishing.  ''  It 
was  now  not  fit  to  be  seen,''^  she  explained,  but  to 
be  seen  by  whom  was  not  explained  ;  for  except  to 
carry  her  to  the  nearest  railway  station,  or  on  very 
infrequent  visits  to  the  store  at  the  Cross  Koads, 
or  now  and  then  to  visit  a  neighbor  at  a  distance, 
the  light  wagon  in  question  rarely  was  seen  of  men. 
Indeed,  the  buggy  was  almost  the  sole  outlay  that 
Sandy  had  made  for  his  daughter  that  he  genuinely 
regretted.     ''  Her  schoolin'  had  come  heavy,''  he 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  11 

often  reflected,  but  then  there  was  some  evidence 
of  gain  to  be  observed  in  this  use  of  his  hardly  won 
dollars.  ^^He  had  had  his  day  for  Farnin",  and 
^twasn^t  no  moreen  right  that  Milly  should  have 
hers.'^  And  then  he  liked,  although  he  didn^'t 
confess  it,  the  little  superior  young-lady  airs  which 
she  had  taken  on  in  the  distant  city.  Even  the 
modish  gowns  she  wore,  and  the  towering  pile  of 
her  bef  rizzed  blond  hair,  were  all  a  source  of  silent 
pride  to  the  man  who  built  all  his  hopes  and  ex- 
pended all  his  love  upon  this  exacting  young 
daughter. 

The  piano,  as  he  well  knew,  was  an  extrav- 
agance ;  but  he  had  himself  in  former  days  per- 
formed on  the  accordion,  and  even  now  would 
upon  occasion  draw  from  its  wind-expanded  sides 
some  strained  notes  suggestive  of  his  lasting  lament 
for  ^^Lily  Dale.''  ''  The ' Soldier's  Joy,"  too,  had 
proved  his  own  on  more  than  one  occasion,  when 
its  notes  had  served  to  banish  Hannah  with  her 
grumbling  comments  concerning  the  things  of  this 
world  and  her  gloomy  forebodings  regarding  those 
of  a  future  one. 

Yes  ;  he  knew  the  power  of  music,  and  did  not 
regret  yielding  to  Milly's  demand  for  an  expensive 
pianoforte.  But  the  buggy  was  a  different  matter. 
There  were  several  acres  of  wheat  thrown  to  the 
dogs,  he  metaphorically  reflected.  ^^What  was 
the  use  of  spendin'  money  to  set  that  light-topped 
consarn  up  in  the  barn  for  the  chickens  to  roost 
on?" 


12  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

But  it  was  characteristic  of  his  self-denying 
love  for  his  daughter  that  he  never  had  expressed 
this  opinion  in  her  hearing,  nor  had  she  the  least 
idea  of  her  father's  estimate  of  his  investment. 

To-night  Sandy  did  not  rouse  himself  to  answer 
directly  the  question  of  renewed  varnish,  but  con- 
tented himself  with  an  occasional  punctuation  of 
assent  to  his  daughter's  prolonged  dissertation. 
Finally  he  rose,  shaking  the  ashes  from  his  pipe, 
and  saying  with  a  yawn  that  he  guessed  he  w^ould 
^^turn  in.'^ 

This  was  a  signal  for  Milly's  retirement ;  but 
before  she  left  the  room  her  father  turned  to  her, 
looking  over  his  shoulder  as  he  still  idly  tapped 
the  empty  pipe  against  the  chimney-piece,  and  ob- 
served : 

^^  I'm  thinkin'  some  of  ridin'  over  to  Sydney's 
farm  to-morrow  mornin' ;  I  hear  thar's  a  new  fel- 
ler took  persession.  I'd  like  to  take  a  look  round, 
and  see  what's  in  the  wind.  Guess  I'll  be  off  'fore 
you're  up,  little  'un.     Good  night." 

^^All  right,"  Milly  comprehensively  assented, 
and,  adding  a  sleepy  '^  Good  night,"  disappeared 
up  the  steep  stairs  that  led  to  her  own  small  room 
above. 


•^ 


^ 
§- 


> 


CHAPTER  II. 

Ojste  morning  a  few  weeks  later^  Milly  sat  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  the  desired  verandah.  She  had 
placed  her  rocking-chair  in  the  shadiest  angle  of  its 
extent,  and  now  was  swaying  herself  backwards 
and  forwards  in  the  uninterrupted  possession  of 
its  solitude. 

Her  father  had  summed  up  his  contempt  for 
such  modern  luxury  by  calling  the  verandah  ^^a 
new-fangled  fixin'.''  When  not  employed  away 
from  the  house,  he  spent  his  time  as  usual  sitting 
on  the  back-door  step  smoking. 

The  waves  of  green  that  had  stretched  in  mo- 
notonous expanse  when  Milly  had  returned  to  the 
farm  in  June  were  now  turned  to  golden  billows 
that  filled  the  landscape  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach.  A  shimmering  veil  of  heat  obscured  the 
distance,  and  shut  out  the  slight  undulation  in  the 
line  of  the  horizon  that  on  a  clear  day  served  to 
rest  the  vision. 

It  seemed  to  Milly,  as  she  rocked  and  fanned 
herself  gazing  out  on  the  broad  waste,  as  though 
she  dwelt  enchained  by  some  mystical  enchant- 
ment alone  on  a  tiny  island  in  the  midst  of  this 
golden  sea.  She  felt  that  a  spell  had  been  woven 
around  her  whose  power  she  was  conscious  of,  and 


14  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

yet  whose  magic  she  was  unable  to  resist.  With 
her  eyes  half  closed,  and  the  dreamy  drowsiness  of 
the  day  creeping  over  her,  she  lost  all  realization 
of  her  surroundings.  The  unpainted  floor  with 
the  ^Hean-to^^  roof  above,  melted  and  merged  into 
something  more  beautiful  than  she  had  ever  seen 
except  in  dreams.  The  plain  of  ripening  grain 
became  an  enchanted  sea  that  broke  noiselessly  at 
her  feet,  inviting  her  to  venture  the  small  craft  in 
which  she  rocked  on  its  alluring  vastness.  Who 
knew  what  lay  beyond  ?  A  prince  or  a  kingdom, 
perhaps.     Who  could  tell  ? 

The  thin  veil  of  the  atmosphere  grew  denser ; 
she  could  not  penetrate  its  meshes  or  see  behind 
the  fairy  fdm  that  limited  the  view  and  shut  her 
in  with  shimmering  softness.  In  half-conscious- 
ness she  realized  that  this  was  a  day-dream,  but 
ah,  how  beautiful !  She  settled  herself  again 
with  partly  closed  eyes,  hoping  that  other  visions 
might  be  revealed  if  she  but  yielded  herself  to  the 
beckoning  dream.  But  the  spell  was  broken 
almost  with  the  thought.  She  could  see  nothing 
now  except  so  many  acres  of  wheat  ready  for  the 
reaping.  As  she  beheld  again  the  unadorned 
uprights  that  held  the  slanting  roof  above  her  she 
was  no  longer  deluded  as  to  the  rough  execution  of 
even  this  her  most  cherished  desire.  Her  rockine:- 
chair,  a  real  ''  Boston,"  and  hitherto  a  treasured 
possession,  sank  to  the  level  of  a  ^^  common  painted 
chair  with  an  ugly  calico  cushion." 

Iler  own  cool  dress  of  pale  blue  print  looked 


A  MAN'S  cokscie:n^ce.  15 

contemptible  as  she  remembered  the  costumes  of 
costly  materials  worn  by  expensively  dressed  women 
in  that  ideal  city  of  her  remembrance.  The  sound 
of  Hannah^s  heavy  tread  as  she  moved  about  her 
household  toil^  her  deep-toned  nasal  intonation  as 
she  reproved  Jim  or  hustled  the  cat,  seemed  by 
contrast  to  Milly^s  awakened  senses  many  degrees 
more  aggravating  than  ever  before. 

Was  she  doomed  forever  to  the  farm  ?  she  asked 
herself.  What  did  her  present  life  promise  but 
deadening  monotony  and  unendurable  solitude? 
Whom  had  she  to  exchange  a  word  with  from 
week^'s  end  to  week^s  end  except  her  father,  whose 
interests  revolved  around  the  probable  number  of 
bushels  to  the  acre,  and  the  fluctuations  of  the 
wheat  market  in  Chicago  ? 

To  be  sure,  he  was  always  kind  and  affectionate, 
yielding  unselfishly  to  her  slightest  whim,  and 
indulging  her  far  beyond  what  she  deserved  or  had 
a  right  to  expect.  She  loved  him,  she  said,  dear 
old  man  !  But  what  had  they  in  common  ?  Even 
his  appearance  was  grotesque  in  the  extreme  if  she 
compared  him  with  the  well-dressed  fathers  of  her 
school  friends.  And  as  to  his  speech,  it  was  cer- 
tainly far  from  correct,  according  to  the  rules  laid 
down  in  grammar.  She  repeated  again  that  he 
was  a  dear  old  father,  and  that  she  loved  him  above 
all  things. 

But  the  spell  was  broken.  The  earth  was  no 
longer  an  enchanted  place,  where  miles  of  prosaic 
wheat  changed   to  gold  at  the  touch  of  magic 


16  A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE. 

imagination.  It  was  only  a  crop  ready  for  the 
harvest,  and  brought  endless  inconveniences.  Dur- 
ing the  next  few  weeks  the  house  would  be  over- 
run with  ^^  hands'*^  from  the  Cross  Koads,  hired  to 
assist  in  reaping  and  threshing  the  grain. 

These  were  coarse,  often  brutal,  men,  with  un- 
couth manners,  whose  speech  from  habit  was  punct- 
uated with  ingenious  oaths  of  constant  repetition. 
Even  the  presence  of  the  ''  boss's^''  daughter  did 
not  ahvays  serve  to  hold  them  in  check. 

No  ;  the  life  here  was  certainly  very  uninterest- 
ing. Ah — she  stretched  her  clasped  hands  above 
her  head — where  was  the  good  fairy  who,  by  a 
touch  of  her  wand,  could  change  all  this  ?  She 
smiled  at  the  remembrance  of  her  dream,  and 
wished  with  all  her  heart  that  she  might  blot  out 
her  dull  surroundings  by  a  return  to  that  congenial 
life  of  imagined  beauty. 

Her  half -whimsical  imagery  had  nevertheless 
somewhat  prepared  her  for  the  unexpected.  As 
she  let  her  hands  drop  again  listlessly  in  her  lap, 
she  was  scarcely  astonished  at  hearing  an  unknow^n 
voice  speaking  at  a  little  distance,  and  asking  in  a 
pleasant  tone  if  the  person  to  whom  the  voice 
belonged  ^^had  the  honor  of  addressing  Miss 
Alistair?^^ 

The  speaker  stood  at  the  corner  of  the  verandah. 
As  Milly  rose  he  advanced  tow^ards  her,  holding  his 
hat  in  his  hand.  He  had  a  pleasant  face,  she 
thought,  different  from  any  she  had  seen  before. 
She  had  learned  from  her  father  some  time  before 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEl^CE.  17 

that  the  new-comer  at  Sydney^s  was  a  young  Eng- 
lishman ;  and  now,  although  she  had  heard  no 
description  of  him,  she  at  once  decided  that  her 
visitor  was  their  neighbor  on  the  adjoining  farm. 

lie  was  tall,  with  broad  shoulders  and  well- 
developed  physique,  singularly  unlike  any  one  she 
remembered  to  have  met.  His  shapely  head  was 
set  on  a  well-formed  throat  left  exposed  by  the 
open  collar  of  his  flannel  shirt.  His  face  was 
burned  as  a  fair  skin  will  burn  until  long-repeated 
exposure  has  tanned  it  to  an  even  brown.  But  his 
brow  was  fair  as  an  infantas,  and  almost  as  devoid 
of  lines.  His  blue  eyes  were  well  set,  and  looked 
out  smilingly  from  under  straight  brows,  while  his 
closely-cut  beard  and  moustache  failed  to  hide  the 
pleasant  smile  that  came  readily  to  his  lips. 

Milly  had  never  seen  such  an  embodiment  of  per- 
fectly developed  manhood. 

Her  types,  to  be  sure,  had  not  been  varied. 
They  included  for  the  most  part  the  familiar  thin 
and  wiry  make  of  which  her  father  was  the  ac- 
knowledged example.  Besides  this,  she  had  known 
one  or  two  well-dressed,  keen-faced  youths  with 
restless  eyes,  and  an  eagerness  of  expression  that 
indicated  a  cause  for  their  somewhat  angular  out- 
line. Hitherto  this  irreproachably  dressed  young 
man,  with  immaculate  gloves  and  the  latest  novelty 
in  walking-sticks,  had  filled  the  place  of  Milly^s 
ideal  hero.  During  the  few  moments  in  which  she 
stood  silently  contemplating  her  visitor,  the  ideal 
of  her  girlish  fancy  faded,  never  to  be  revived  again. 


18  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

As  Milly  had  made  no  reply  to  the  question  con- 
cerning her  identity,  unless  it  were  the  slightest 
possible  inclination  of  her  pretty  head,  the  young 
man  proceeded  without  embarrassment  to  intro- 
duce himself. 

^^  I  am  Godfrey  Alleyne, "  he  explained  pleasantly, 
^^  your  new  neighbor.  You  might,  perhaps,  have 
heard  your  father  speak  of  me  ?  I  live  at  Sydney's, 
don^t  you  know.  I've  come  over  to  manage  my 
farm  myself,  and  see  a  little  life  in  the  West.^^ 

^^  Yes,  Fve  heard  of  you,'^  Milly  replied  briefly ; 
but  as  the  blue  eyes  of  the  young  man  seemed  to 
find  pleasant  occupation  in  resting  upon  her,  with- 
out recourse  to  further  speech,  she  asked  somewhat 
abruptly,  ''  Do  you  like  it  ? '' 

^^  Yes,  very  much,'^  Godfrey  replied,  still  smil- 
ing; but  he  made  no  attempt  to  enumerate  the 
reasons  for  his  enjoyment  of  what  he  designated 
the  West. 

^^  My  father  has  spoken  of  you,^^  Milly  began. 
^^  He  said  there  was  a  young  Englishman  who  had 
come  out  to  try  fancy  farming,  but  he  guessed — '' 
She  stopped  abruptly,  the  color  rising  quickly  to 
her  fresh  young  face. 

^^  What  did  he  guess?  ^^  asked  Godfrey  amusedly. 
^^  I  should  be  immensely  pleased  if  you  would  tell 
me  Mr.  Alistair^s  opinion  of  my  venture.  Tell  me,'^ 
he  urged,  leaning  nearer  to  her  as  he  placed  one 
foot  on  the  low  floor  of  the  verandah,  while  the 
other  still  kept  its  place  on  the  dry  grass. 

She  looked  at  him  mischievously  as  she  finished 


A  mAK'S  conscience.  19 

her  interrupted  sentence.  ^^  He  said  he  guessed— 
you^d  go  back.^^ 

^*^Ah;,  possibly.  I'm  not  so  sure.  Some  things 
I  like  awfully  out  here.  Not  the  heat/^  he  added, 
taking  a  handkerchief  from  his  pocket,  which  he 
suggestively  passed  across  his  brow.  *^It's  the 
hottest  place  I  ever  was  in/'  he  continued.  "  I 
wouldn't  have  believed  there  was  such  a  burning, 
drying,  scorching  heat  to  be  found  anywhere — 
where  I  want  to  go.'' 

^^  Ah,"  rejoined  Milly  mockingly,  ^^  you  think 
yourself  very  good,  I  suppose.  You  probably  have 
never  committed  any  sins  that  may  not  be  ex- 
piated by  coming  to  Minnesota." 

'^  Ah,  I  don't  say  that !  I  deserve  worse  than 
this,  I  assure  you,"  Godfrey  replied. 

^^  But  there  are  punishments  of  cold  as  well  an 
of  heat,  you  must  remember,"  continued  Milly, 
remembering  something  she  had  once  read.  ^^Tait 
till  the  winter  comes,  and  you  are  literally  frozen 
in  your  house,  and  unable  to  stir  an  inch  from 
home  on  account  of  the  drifts.  When  the  snow 
reaches  to  the  second-story  windows,  and  for. forty 
days  the  mercury  never  rises  above  zero — when 
the  wind  blows  the  fine  snow  into  every  crevice, 
and  no  covering  even  of  furs  will  keep  it  out — 
then  you'll  have  added  something,  maybe,  to  your 
experience  of  what  you  deserve." 

Godfrey  laughed  outright.  This  at  least  was  a 
new  experience.  He  had  not  hitherto  known  what 
it  was  to  be  confronted  by  a  fair-faced  girlish  men- 


20  A  MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE. 

tor,  who  met  him  with  the  outspoken  frankness 
of  a  child,  but  united  therewith  a  dignity  of  man- 
ner and  grace  of  person  wholly  unique  in  his  ex- 
perience. 

His  estimate  of  the  gentler  sex  had  sustained  a 
distinct  modification  since  his  acquaintance  with 
his  new  home,  and  an  association  with  what  ap- 
peared to^him  a  distinctly  novel  type.  There  was 
something  unexpected  in  recognizing  as  equals  the 
hard-working  thrifty  class  that  seemed  the  very 
stamina  of  womankind  in  the  neighborhood.  He 
had  been  inclined  at  first  to  take  an  amused,  if  not 
a  supercilious,  view  of  the  matrons  and  maids 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  Their  entire  dis- 
regard of  his  superior  attitude  or  their  half-gibing 
recognition  of  his  unexpressed  opinion  had  done 
much  to  throw  a  truer  light  on  their  self-denying 
lives.  He  had  learned  more  clearly  than  his  easy- 
going life  had  hitherto  shown  that  a  rough  ex- 
terior does  not  always  indicate  indifference  to  finer 
feelings,  nor  does  ignorance  always  go  hand  in 
hand  with  uncultured  speech. 

Godfrey  had  had  much  to  learn  in  the  few  weeks 
since  his  arrival.  His  present  attitude  of  inter- 
ested scrutiny  was,  he  thought,  but  another  en- 
deavor to  better  comprehend  the  various  phases  of 
the  New  World. 

To  be  sure,  he  acknowledged  to  himself  that 
there  was  more  pleasure  to  be  found  in  the  study 
of  this  exceptionally  pleasing  young  girl  than  he 
had  yet  experienced  in  like  investigations.     She 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE,  21 

certainly  was  not  of  the  type  left  behind  by  his 
predecessor  at  Sydney's,  and  described  by  that  per- 
sonage ^'^as  aright  slap-down  smart  gurl  for  all 
kinds  of  work/^  nor  did  he  find  any  suggestion 
of  the  varied  though  pronounced  types  met  with 
on  his  journey  westward.  A  number  of  thoughts 
passed  through  his  mind  in  the  moment  of  silence 
that  had  fallen  between  them — all  more  or  less 
poetic,  and  as  a  rule  far  removed  from  his  usual 
practical  comparisons.  The  delicate  tint  of  a  sea- 
shell,  the  heavenly  blue  of  cornflowers,  nodding 
fields  of  ripened  corn — all  rose  in  his  mind  and 
united  themselves  as  fitting  suggestions  of  the 
girFs  beauty.  Even  the  quaint  phraseology  of  her 
simplest  speech  seemed  to  him  becoming,  and  to 
be  expected  in  this  treasure  of  the  prairie.  It 
would  have  spoiled  her  quite,  he  thought,  had  she 
spoken  with  the  commonplace  accuracy  of  ordinary 
women.  Something  piquant  in  the  turn  of  her 
full  red  lips,  something  indescribable  in  her  depre- 
catingly  lifted  brows,  lent  point  to  her  half -uttered 
questions  and  interest  to  her  simplest  replies. 

Godfrey  felt  inclined  to  prolong  the  interview. 
The  primary  cause  of  his  visit  had,  indeed,  quite 
escaped  him.  The  important  advice  he  had  in- 
tended to  solicit  from  Mr.  Alistair  had  by  this 
time  lost  some  of  its  importance.  After  all,  life 
is  long  enough  for  all  practical  purposes,  and  it 
would  be  folly  to  sacrifice  an  interview  that  prom- 
ised at  least  change,  if  not  piquancy,  for  the 
sake   of   better    understanding   the   mysteries   of 


22  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

husbandry.  That  could  wait^  he  concluded.  Mr. 
Alistair  was  certainly  original  and  withal  amusing, 
but  his  daughter  promised  even  a  more  entertain- 
ing field  for  observation.  He  must  not  miss  this 
opportunity  of  becoming  better  acquainted  with 
her. 

His  resolve  found  an  echo  in  his  companion's 
half-formed  desire.  She  had  no  wish  to  shorten 
what  promised  a  welcome  interlude  in  her  monot- 
onous existence.  Some  slight  impress  of  her  wak- 
ing dream  was  still  upon  her  ;  through  the  indis- 
tinct memory  of  its  beguilement  there  flashed  the 
reason  for  her  subsequent  discontent.  No  prince 
had  come  to  deliver  her !  The  j)icture  of  her 
imagination  had  remained  uncrowned.  After  all, 
reality  was  almost  better  than  dreaming.  Then 
she  had  known,  even  although  she  would  not  ac- 
knowledge it,  that  she  Avould  awake  and  find  the 
humble  home  with  nnpicturesque  details  her  only 
background.  ]^ow  upon  this  very  home  which 
she  had  almost  despised  a  living  interest  had 
dawned. 

The  morning  was  no  longer  oppressively  hot ; 
indeed  ttiere  must  have  been  a  slight  breeze  spring- 
ing up  ;  for,  rising  and  falling,  came  that  inde- 
scribable sound  of  the  waving  plain  as  though  a 
whisper  had  started  far  out  on  the  misty  horizon, 
that  every  bending  stalk  must  carry  to  its  neighbor 
and  then  whisper  back  again,  until  the  last  faint 
breath  died  in  the  unseen  distance. 

The  shelter  of  the  little  j)lantation  looked  invit- 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  23 

ing.  Milly  wondered  if  her  guest  would  prefer  it 
to  the  heated  steps  of  the  verandah  where  he  was 
now  seated.  She  suggested  a  change  to  the  more 
tempting  shade.  A  swing  hung  from  the  branches 
of  one  of  the  larger  trees,  and  in  this  she  balanced 
herself  with  her  hands  far  upstretched  on  the 
ropes ;  with  her  small  feet  resting  on  the  ground 
in  front  of  her  she  pushed  the  swing  gently  back- 
wards and  forwards.  Godfrey  stood  leaning 
against  the  tree  looking  down  at  her. 

'^  It's  not  Tery  pretty  about  here/^  she  began, 
hesitatingly;  ^'^ not  what  you  are  used  to,  I  sup- 
pose. England  is  mighty  fine,  I  have  read.  I've 
always  wished  I  could  see  a  country  that  didn't 
burn  up  one-half  of  the  year  and  freeze  the  rest. 
It  must  be  nice  to  walk  in  the  cool  lanes  and  over 
fields  that  keep  green  summer  and  winter.  It 
must  seem  almost  like  the  Garden  of  Eden.  I 
wonder  why  any  one  should  come  here  from 
choice  ?  " 

^'  Yes,  it  is  jolly,  awfully  jolly ;  but  one  can't 
stop  at  home  forever,"  Godfrey  replied,  ^^  especially 
when  you  are  only  one  among  many,  and  not  much 
missed.  Besides,  there's  more  to  learn  in  a  new 
country,  more  development,  more  expansion,  more 
new  ideas,  and — push,"  he  added,  by  way  of  cul- 
mination to  what  was  for  him  a  rather  long  and 
consecutive  speech. 

^^  Is  there  ?  "  she  asked  wonderingly.  '^  I  should 
never  have  imagined  that  any  of  these  things 
existed  here.     It  seems  to  me  that  a  more  dead 


24  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

than  alive  place  couldn't  be  found  than  our  State/' 
She  spoke^  however,  of  this  especial  portion  of  the 
commonwealth  with  that  accent  of  personal  respon- 
sibility that  seems  a  charactei;istic  of  the  nation. 
The  tone  was  apologetic,  but  evidently  awaited  a 
disclaimer  on  the  part  of  her  listener.  She  was 
not  disappointed. 

''  Contrast  is  the  very  spice  of  existence/'  he 
remarked.  ^^  One  would  be  blind  not  to  perceive 
the  advantages  of  a  great  free  land  like  this,  even 
if  brought  up  in  the  traditions  of,  and  bound  by 
loyalty  to,  a  more  conservative  country.'' 

Milly  held  very  indistinct  views  concerning  the 
government  of  any  people  beyond  the  area  of  the 
United  States,  and  at  this  moment,  with  true 
womanly  subterfuge,  evaded  the  exigency  of  fur- 
ther discussion  by  a  direct  question  that  j^laced 
the  burden  of  reply  upon  her  companion. 

Just  then,  too,  she  heard  her  father's  high- 
pitched  voice  calling  to  her  from  the  doorstep  : 
^^  Milly,  Milly  child,  ain't  you  going  to  have  no 
dinner  to-day  ?  Whar  are  you  ?  Down  in  the 
swing,  I  do  declar';  and  0 — why,  to  be  sure,  Mr. 
Alleyne  !  Pleased  to  see  you,  sir.  Walk  right  in 
and  make  yourself  at  home.  AVhat's  mine  is 
yourn,  so  long  as  you  care  to  help  yourself,  and 
don't  you  forget  it,"  Sandy  added,  hospitably,  at 
the  same  time  giving  Godfrey  a  resounding  slap  on 
the  shoulder.  ^^Hanner,"  he  called,  ''^Hanner, 
set  another  plate  on  the  table,  and  fetch  up  a  cha'r. 
Mr.  AUoyne,  glad  to  see  you,  and  hope  you  won't 


"  *  Good-bye,  Miss  Alistair,'  he  said;  *  thank  you  for  a  delight/ id 

day:  " 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  25 

mind  my  not  being  at  home  to  talk  over  busi- 
ness with  you  when  you  fust  come/^ 

Godfrey  didn^t  mind,  he  replied ;  and  Sandy 
continued,  ^^  It's  a  pity  you're  so  new  to  the 
work,  jest  as  harvestings  comin'  on.  Does  make 
consid'able  diff'runce  in  the  way  the  hands  take 
hold.  If  they  see  you're  a  greenhorn  they'se 
likely  to  take  advantage  of  you  and  skulk  work 
about  half  the  time.  It  will  be  with  them 
suthin'  like  the  old  rhyme  we  used  to  say  as  chil- 
dren, ^ Under  the  haystack,  fast  asleep' — eh, 
Milly  ?  " 

She  smiled  in  reply,  but  some  subtle  change  in 
her  mobile  face  caused  Sandy  to  look  again  at  his 
daughter  before  resuming  the  entertainment  of 
their  visitor. 

The  unreflecting  innocence  that  had  rendered 
her  expression  almost  like  that  of  a  guileless  child 
had  somehow  assumed  a  different  tone,  born  of 
new  emotions.  Iler  blue  eyes  still  reflected  every 
passing  light  and  shade,  but  showed  beneath  the 
deeper  hue  of  hidden  waters.  For  the  first  time 
in  her  life  she  had  been  brought  face  to  face  with 
an  existence  that  held  for  her  all  the  attraction  of 
the  unknown.  The  cultivated  voice,  the  innate 
good  manners,  the  well-chosen  dress,  even  the 
strong,  finely-formed  hands  and  carefully-shaped 
nails  of  the  young  man  did  not  escape  Milly's 
observation.  In  contrast  she  beheld  the  bent 
shoulders  and  slouching  form  of  her  father,  his 
hands  horny  with  continual  labor,  and  sometimes 


26  A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

guiltless  of  the  beauty  of  cleanliness  ;  his  grizzled 
locks  and  aquiline  features ;  they  seemed  to  her 
by  contrast  almost  unlovely.  Hannah^  never  very 
comely,  appeared  doubly  unattractive,  and  the 
'^  help^^  who  shared  their  meals  intolerable.  She 
almost  wondered  at  Godfrey^s  easy  good-nature, 
and  the  matter-of-course  way  in  which  he  accepted 
their  homely  fare  and  endured  their  uncouth 
manners. 

But  he  seemed  singularly  pleased  with  every 
one,  not  excepting  Hannah,  to  whose  sharp  tongue 
he  found  replies  that  turned  away  even  her  chronic 
wrath. 

The  dinner  ended,  Milly  only  saw  Godfrey 
again  for  a  few  minutes  as  he  was  mounting  to 
ride  away.  She  stood  in  the  back  doorway,  framed 
round  with  a  blossoming  creeper  that  clung  to  the 
ugly  unpainted  posts.  Her  hands  were  full  of 
trailing  branches  of  wild  roses  she  had  gathered 
among  the  stumps  and  tangle  of  bushes  that  grew 
at  the  back  of  the  house.  Over  her  shining  hair 
she  had  tied  with  a  blue  ribbon  a  coarse  chip  hat 
similar  to  that  her  father  wore.  Now  it  had  fallen 
back,  and  was  heid  only  by  the  knot  under  her 
chin.  Before  mounting,  Godfrey  came  up  to 
her,  holding  out  his  hand  pleasantly  to  take 
hers. 

''  Good-bye,  Miss  xilistair,^^  he  said  ;  ^^  thank  you 
for  a  delightful  day.  IVe  enjoyed  my  visit  very 
much.      I  like  the  West    better  than   ever ;    I 


A  MAN'S  CONSGIElfCE.  27 

wouldn^t  be  surprised  if  I  liked  it  better  than  the 
Garden  of  Eden^  after  all/^ 

^'  There^s  not  much  danger  of  that,  I  guess/^ 
she  said,  as  she  stood  beside  her  father,  seeing  him 
ride  away. 


CHAPTER   III. 

The  ride  home  promised  to  be  one  of  pleasure 
to  Godfrey.  The  long  twilight  of  the  summer's 
night  was  by  far  the  most  enjoyable  part  of  the 
whole  twenty-four  hours.  As  he  rode  for  miles 
under  a  cloudless  sky,  lighted  only  by  the  faint 
flicker  of  scattered  stars,  he  felt  an  exuberant 
gladness,  born  of  youth  and  hope  encountering  a 
new  and  untried  existence. 

The  after-glow  of  the  setting  sun  still  lingered 
in  the  western  sky,  and  shot  long  white  rays  almost 
to  the  zenith.  The  air  had  become  cool  with 
heavy  dew,  and  from  the  beaten  track  of  dry  herb- 
age over  which  he  rode  rose  a  faint  fresh  odor  like 
that  of  trampled  flowers.  His  horse  felt  fresh,  and 
possibly  enjoyed  the  rushing  gallop  in  the  night 
air  as  much  as  his  master,  for  on  they  went  in 
perfect  accord,  leaving  mile  upon  mile  behind 
them. 

Godfrey's  farm  lay  to  the  south,  and  could  be 
reached  in  an  almost  direct  line  if  the  highway 
were  avoided  and  the  prairie  tracks  alone  the 
.guide.  But  when  about  nine  miles  from  Sandy's 
farm  he  turned  off  at  right  angles,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  visiting  the  post-office  at  the  Cross  Roads. 

This  detour  would  make  considerable  difference 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  29 

in  the  distance  to  be  traversed^  but  the  night  was 
beautiful,  and  the  ride  exhilarating ;  besides,  he 
did  not  know  when  he  might  be  able  to  take  the 
journey  again. 

To-night  he  seemed  to  experience  a  new  zest  in 
everything  pertaining  to  his  present  life,  that 
stirred  his  pulses  and  rendered  him  oblivious  to 
fatigue  or  the  solitude  of  his  ride.  On  and  on 
under  the  quiet  stars,  not  a  sound  far  or  near  save 
the  soft  fall  of  liis  horse's  feet.  On  and  on,  until 
the  straggling  lights  of  the  settlement  showed  in 
the  distance.  Passing  scattered  houses,  where  the 
rays  of  a  single  candle  blinked  from  narrow  win- 
dows or  open  doorways,  soon  he  had  arrived  at  the 
main  house  of  the  single  street.  Throwing  the 
bridle  to  a  lounger  standing  near,  he  entered  the 
low  building  that  served  as  store  and  post-office  for 
the  little  community.  This  was  also  the  general 
lounging-place  of  the  neighborhood,  and  whatever 
tit-bit  of  gossip  reached  its  door  did  not  depart  for 
want  of  welcome. 

Godfrey  had  visited  the  place  before,  but  the 
unsavory  atmosphere  of  foul  tobacco,  and  other 
odors  equally  objectionable  though  less  easily  de- 
scribed, the  indolent  gaze  or  more  personal  pre- 
sumption of  its  inmates,  the  ready  oaths  of  the 
groups  of  gossiping  idlers,  had  all  filled  him  with 
a  sense  of  repugnance  difficult  to  overcome.  He 
sent  at  no  very  long  intervals  for  his  mail,  and 
aside  from  that  necessity  the  village  post-office 
held  for  him  no  interest.  * 


30  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

But  if  the  denizens  of  this  uninviting  resort 
were  unknown  to  him,  his  own  affairs,  and  even 
his  personal  appearance,  were  not  matters  of  equal 
indifference  to  them.  He  had  furnished  food  for 
gossip  and  surmise  for  many  a  long  evening,  when 
innumerable  beverages  with  surprising  names  and 
equally  sure  results  had  loosened  the  tongues  of 
the  most  reticent 

His  appearance,  from  the  first,  had  been  hailed 
with  distrust.  ^^He  was  one  o'  them  ferriners, 
with  their  bullet-heads  and  white  fists.  He  was  a 
blamed  aristocrat,  with  high  and  mighty  ways 
and  a  don^t-you-touch-me  manner.  He  was  a  fop 
and  a  blockhead.  He  didn't  know  no  more  'bout 
farmin'  than  the  child  unborn.  He  was  a  sorter 
fancy  fixin' — all  show  and  no  sense.  He  didn't 
know  one  end  of  a  plough  from  another  when  he 
fust  come  out.  Sydney  said  'twas  as  sure  as  fate 
that  the  crop  'ud  fall  off  purty  near  half  with  that 
kind  of  kid-glove  management.  It  weren't  to  be 
expected  that  a  ^  beg  pardon,'  ^  don't  cher  know,' 
almighty  Englishman  would  understand  f  armin'  in 
a  land  like  this  'un.  Why,  bless  you !  they  had 
heard  that  the  whole  of  Great  Britain  could  be  put 
into  the  State  of  Minnesota  and  not  slop  over.  What 
kind  of  a  place  was  that  to  Tarn  to  farm  in  ?  No  ; 
the  sooner  he  got  up  and  dusted  out  o'  thar  the 
better  it  'ud  be;  for  who  in  blazes  wanted  the 
country  run  over  and  salted  down  by  that  kind  of 
a  Miss  Nancy  ?  Took  a  bath  every  mornin',  his 
hired  man  said,  and  they  all  knew  that  a  Saturday 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  31 

night^s  plunge  in  the  Kilacoe  was  good  enough  for 
them  parts.  He  needn^t  come  thar  puttin^  on  his 
airs,  because  they  wouldn^t  stan^  no  nonsense/^ 

These  and  many  other  equally  frank  comments 
were  exchanged  between  the  frequenters  of  the 
village  lounging-room.  Although  the  contempt 
expressed  was  superlative,  there  existed  neverthe- 
less a  certain  amount  of  latent  regret  that  no  ac- 
tual intercourse  with  the  stranger  at  Sydney^s  had 
as  yet  been  possible.  The  subject  was  in  a  fair 
way  to  lose  zest  among  the  gossips,  or  else  to  die  a 
natural  death,  unless  fed  by  some  new  occurrence 
that  would  excite  their  curiosity  or  fire  their 
wrath. 

Fortunately  for  them,  Godfrey  was  about  to  do 
his  best  to  revive  their  sleeping  animosity.  As  he 
entered  the  stuffy  room,  half-concealed  by  smoke 
from  many  pipes,  he  was  conscious  of  a  lull  in  the 
general  uproar  of  voices  that  had  reached  him  as 
he  pulled  up  in  front  of  the  house.  Without  look- 
ing about  him,  or  offering  other  greeting  than  a 
general  nod  to  the  assembly,  he  made  his  way 
across  the  room,  steering  between  groups  of  men 
and  a  litter  of  bales  and  boxes  that  encumbered 
the  floor.  At  the  farther  end,  where  a  short  deal 
counter  stood,  piled  high  with  an  astonishing  mix- 
ture of  groceries,  ironmongery,  and  articles  of 
wearing  apparel,  some  lettered  pigeon-holes  indi- 
cated the  space  allotted  the  Government  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  mail.  Standing  before  this  divi- 
sion of  the  various  industries  represented,  the  vis- 


32  A  MAK'S  CON'SCIEiq^CE. 

itor  demanded  any  letters  there  might  be  for  Mr. 
Godfrey  Alleyne. 

A  man  left  a  group  of  card-players,  where  he 
had  been  watching  the  game,  and  occasionally 
emphasizing  his  opinion  of  the  play  with  a  varied 
assortment  of  expletives,  and  deliberately  strolled 
behind  the  counter,  as  if  to  deliver  into  Godfrey^s 
hands  whatever  mail  might  be  awaiting  him. 

^^Ya-as,  they  is  a  letter  somewhars  'bout,"  he 
said,  "  directed  to  the  Hon.  John  Godfrey  Alleyne. 
I  guess  that^s  ^bout  your  size,  ain^t  it  ?^^ 

^^  The  letter^s  intended  for  me,^^  Godfrey  replied 
shortly.  ^^  Would  you  be  kind  enough  to  hand  it 
to  me?     I  am  in  some  haste. ^^ 

^^  All  in  good  time ;  don^t  yer  bust  yerself  while 
I'm  lookin'  round  fer  it,''  the  postmaster  replied 
insolently. 

Godfrey  endeavored  to  control  his  rising  tem- 
per as  he  watched  the  man  turn  over  the  different 
articles  upon  the  counter,  look  behind  tall  jars  of 
red-striped  candies,  shove  others  aside  marked 
julep  and  calomel ;  finally,  taking  down  some 
coarse  raw-hide  boots,  he  searched  their  capacious 
depths,  turning  them  upside  down  one  by  one, 
knocking  them  at  the  same  time  violently  against 
the  counter. 

^^  Tears  as  tho'  I  rekerlect  doin'  suthin'  with 
that  thar  letter,"  the  man  remarked  coolly,  ^^and 
yet  I  can't  jest  at  this  minnit  put  my  hand  on 
it.^' 

Godfrey,  whoso  temper  had  been  gradually  ris- 


A  MAK'S  CONSCIENCE.  33 

ing  until  it  approached  high-water  mark,  found 
difficulty  in  keeping  from  some  rather  pronounced 
expression  of  his  impatience.  Matters  were  not 
improved  by  a  loud  guffaw  from  the  audience  as- 
sembled behind  him. 

^^  Can't  you  find  the  purty  boy  a  letter  from  his 
mammy  ?'^  some  one  asked  jeeringly.  ^^Yer 
oughter  not  be  so  careless,  Jake,  with  the  Honor- 
able John  Godfrey  Alleyne's  love-letter  I ''  another 
sarcastically  remarked. 

The  groups  in  different  parts  of  the  room, 
with  the  exception  of  two  men  who  still  appeared 
absorbed  in  a  game  of  ^^  seven  up,"  played  on  the 
end  of  an  inverted  barrel,  left  their  several  posi- 
tions, and  stood  lazily  gathered  near  the  counter. 
The  rising  wrath  of  the  young  Englishman  prom- 
ised some  fun,  they  thought,  if  Jake  did  not  spoil 
the  sport  by  laying  his  hand  on  the  letter.  The 
day  had  been  uncommonly  dull,  but  some  slight 
variation  of  the  monotony  now  seemed  imminent. 

The  postmaster  made  one  or  two  futile  efforts  to 
find  the  missing  letter,  searching  the  depths  of 
his  trousers-pockets,  and  even  feeling  carefully 
round  the  inside  edges  of  his  coarse  boots,  observ- 
ing reflectively : 

''  Fve  got  sech  a  plaguey  lot  o'  places  to  hide 
vaFables  in,  it's  a  wonder  they  ever  shows  up  agen 
when  onct  they  is  put  out  o'  sight.''  With  this 
reflection  he  sauntered  out  from  behind  the  coun- 
ter, adding,  ^^Ef  it  comes  to  light  agen  I'll  save  it 
up  for  you,"  and  apparently  considered  the  subject 


34  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

dismissed.  Thinkings  however,  that  possibly  some 
slight  show  of  apology  might  be  expected  in  lieu  of 
the  missing  letter,  he  continued  casually,  ^'I'll 
stan^  the  drinks.  ^^ 

'^1  don^t  want  your  drinks/^  replied  Godfrey 
hotly ;  '^  I\e  come  here  to  get  my  letters,  and  as 
the  postmaster  of  the  Cross  Roads  I  demand  of  you 
their  immediate  delivery. ^^ 

^^You  demand,  do  yer?^^  mimicked  the  man, 
^^you  white-fisted,  girl-faced,  d — d  Britisher  V 

Quicker  than  thought,  Godfrey  had  turned  on 
the  postmaster,  and  with  one  well-directed  blow 
had  struck  him  full  between  the  eyes.  He  fell  at 
full  length,  apparently  lifeless,  at  the  feet  of  his 
companions.  In  a  second  Godfrey  was  surrounded, 
each  one  of  the  indolent  throng,  fired  by  the  sight 
of  their  prostrate  companion,  demanding  his  pecul- 
iar right  to  avenge  the  insult  dealt  the  postmaster. 
Blows  fell  upon  him  from  every  side,  and  oaths 
filled  the  air  with  brutal  violence.  Godfrey,  with 
all  the  skill  of  a  well-trained  boxer,  parried  the 
force  of  the  blows  aimed  at  him.  But  he  certainly 
could  not  long  have  withstood  the  furious  attack 
of  these  angry  men  had  not  one  of  the  two  who 
had  apparently  taken  no  interest  in  the  alterca- 
tion, risen  from  his  game  of  ^*^  seven  up,^"  and  in  an 
authoritative  tone,  and  with  a  more  convincing 
gesture,  exclaimed  : 

'^  J) — n  you  !  let  the  man  havfe  fair  play.  What 
an  infernal  set  of  cowards  you  are  to  fall  on  an 
undefended  man  tooth  and  nail !     Let  up  there. 


"  He  fell  at  full  length  at  the  feet  of  his  companions^ 


A  MAN'S  coisrsciEJsrcE.  35 

or  ril  make  it  hot  for  the  next  one  of  you  who  lays 
a  hand  on  him  ! '' 

Either  the  tone  or  the  threat  proved  convincing ; 
for  the  crowd  parted,  while  the  prostrate  postmas- 
ter, gradually  recovering  consciousness,  attempted 
to  rise.  He  partly  succeeded,  leaning  on  one 
elbow,  while  he  searched  in  his  pistol-pocket  to 
find  his  handkerchief.  That  useful  article,  how- 
ever, lent  itself  no  more  readily  to  discovery  than 
had  the  missing  letter.  !N"ot  as  much  so,  as  was 
proved  ;  for,  pulling  a  square  envelope  forth,  Jake 
reflectively  read  its  superscription,  apparently  at- 
tempting to  recall  from  the  confused  depth  of 
memory  where  he  had  heard  the  name  before. 

^^I  sw^ar,^^  he  exclaimed,  examining  the  address 
again,  and  passing  his  finger  slowly  over  the  motto 
and  coronet  with  which  it  was  sealed,  ^^I  sw^ar  ef 
this  ain^t  the  very  gol-durned  letter  that  that  thar 
young  feller  was  makin^  such  a  fuss  about.  You^d 
better— ^^ 

But  he  was  not  permitted  to  finish  his  instruc- 
tions. The  letter  was  snatched,  more  perempto- 
rily than  politely,  from  his  grasp  by  the  tall  reso- 
nant-voiced individual  who  had  demanded  fair 
play  for  Godfrey  ;  the  latter,  having  shaken  him- 
self free,  had  lost  no  time  in  availing  himself  of 
his  release. 

He  was  already  mounting  his  horse  when  his  de- 
fender appeared  at  the  door,  holding  out  the  square 
white  missive. 

^^  Here^s  your  letter, ^^  he  said  quietly,  and  then 


36  A  MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

to  Godfrey's  thanks  and  cordial  acknowledgment 
of  his  timely  interference^  remarked:  ^^You  had 
better  keep  out  of  this  for  a  while,  young  'un, 
until  you  understand  better  how  to  take  a  little 
pleasantry  on  the  part  of  the  boys.  ^' 

^^  May  I  ask  your  name  ?"  questioned  Godfrey. 
^^I  should  like  to  know  to  whom  I  owe  my  timely 
deliverance  from  the  hands  of  my  enemies.'^ 

^^  Paterson/'  replied  the  man  briefly,  without 
further  explanation. 

'^  This  is  a  fortunate  encounter^  then  ! ''  ex- 
claimed Godfrey.  ^'  To  see  you  was  the  main  ob- 
ject of  my  visit  to-night  to  the  Cross  Eoads.  Mr. 
Alistair  spoke  of  you,  and  thought  I  might  be  able 
to  engage  your  services.  I  am  in  need  of  an  over- 
seer on  my  farm.  I  don't  mind  owning,''  he  added^ 
laughing,  ^^that  I've  a  good  bit  to  learn  out  here 
and  need  a  competent  ^  coach.'  '^ 

''1  don't  know  about  the  latter,"  replied  Pater- 
son  ;  '^1  guess  you're  modest.  It  seems  as  if  you 
were  smart  enough  ;  but  as  I  am  out  of  a  job  just 
now,  I  don't  mind  going  over  for  a  spell  to  try  my 
hand.     When  shall  I  come  ?  " 

*^^The  sooner  the  better,"  replied  Godfrey,  ^^but 
you  will  want  first  to  have  an  agreement  drawn 
up  so"  that  we  may  start  on  a  good  business 
basis." 

Paterson  regarded  Godfrey  as  if  he  were  balanc- 
ing his  words  with  some  inward  reflection  of 
humorous  suggestion.  Finally  he  remarked  ^^  that 
he  usually  knew  his  man,"  and   that  in  this  in- 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIEl^CE.  37 

stance  he  guessed  there  would  be  ^^  no  occasion  for 
documents/^ 

^^ril  be  over  to-morrow/''  he  added.  ''Good- 
night— though  it  will  be  morning  before  you  turn 
in,  I  am  thinking/^ 

AVith  this  he  returned  to  his  interrupted  game, 
while  Godfrey  rode  on  under  the  shining  stars, 
until  one  by  one  they  were  lost  in  the  break  of 
day. 

The  next  morning  Godfrey  experienced  little  or 
no  ill  effects  from  his  adventure.  He  was  even 
amused  as  he  reflected  upon  his  warm  reception  at 
the  Cross  Eoads,  and  with  a  smile  of  dismissal  con- 
signed the  incident  to  his  list  of  new  experiences. 
The  thought  of  the  postmaster,  however,  reminded 
him  of  his  letter,  lying  unopened  on  the  table ; 
he  broke  the  seal  and  read  as  follows  : 

**53  Charles  Street,  Berkeley  Square,  W. 
June  4th,  188—. 

''  Dear  Godfrey, — It  is  almost  impossible  to  find 
time  to  keep  you  informed  of  our  life  at  home,  or 
to  tell  you  how  much  we  continue  to  miss  you.  I 
at  least,  as  your  mother,  may  be  excused  from  dwell- 
ing on  the  fact  of  your  absence,  and  of  my  total 
discontent  with  your  present  plan  of  life.  The 
sooner  you  consent  to  leave  that  wild  and  danger- 
ous part  of  the  world  the  better  pleased  I  shall  be. 

''  I  do  not  depreciate  your  motive  in  wishing  to 
lead  a  life  of  independence,  but  surely  what  has 
been  good  enough  for  your  ancestors  in  the  past 


38  A    MAN'S   COiq'SCIEl^CE, 

and  for  your  brothers  in  the  present  ought  to  be 
good  enough  for  you.  They  have  all  got  along 
somehow,  as  you  know,  and  seemed  happy  enough. 

^^I  am  not  now  referring  to  your  eldest  brother, 
who  certainly  has  little  to  complain  of  in  the  way 
of  adversity,  having  now  entered  upon  the  full  en- 
joyment of  his  several  estates.  He  is  blessed, 
moreover,  with  a  wife  who  is  sufficiently  attractive, 
and  children  that  grow  more  promising  day  by 
day.  Withal,  and  not  the  least  to  be  desired,  he 
possesses  a  racing  stud  that  is  said  to  be  the  envy  of 
even  the  Prince  himself — voila  tout  I 

'^  But  it  is  always  well  to  expect  the  unexpected, 
if  you  will  pardon  the  paradox.  Sometimes  I  fairly 
tremble  for  Bertie.  Life  seems  an  endless  round 
of  pleasure  and  success  with  him.  He  is  popular, 
he  is  handsome,  he  is  rich,  and  withal  has  a  suf- 
ficient allowance  of  brains  to  be  looked  to  for  an 
opinion  in  the  House,  and,  when  expressed,  gains 
the  flattery,  seldom  accorded  to  a  young  man,  of 
never  speaking  to  empty  benches.  But  as  I  was 
saying  before,  because  he  fills,  by  happy  circum- 
stances, the  elevated  position  to  which  he  is  en- 
titled by  birth,  there  is  no  reason  for  assuming 
that  he  is  beyond  the  reach  of  accident. 

"  I  know  what  your  are  saying  :  '  The  mater  was 
always  a  croaker.^  Possibly  I  am ;  traits  of  this 
kind  are  constitutional,  like  fits  or  inebriety  or 
round  shoulders,  or  any  other  unfortunate  imper- 
fection. But  this  is  what  I  am  coming  to,  and 
what  I  must  again  urge  upon  you.     Do  nothing  to 


A  MAWS  cojsrsciEiq^CE.  39 

unfit  yourself  for  life  at  home.  Use  your  expe- 
rience on  the  ranch  as  a  summer's  holiday.  Live 
among  wild  Indians  or  Esquimaux  (I  am  always  un- 
fortunately hazy  in  the  knowledge  of  where  the 
one  race  leaves  off  and  the  other  begins),  or  those 
other  unpleasantly  soiled  natives  whom  you  so 
graphically  describe ;  but  do  not,  I  beg  of  you, 
consider  this  experiment  anything  more  than  a 
passing  fancy,  and,  above  all,  do  not  resign  from 
your  regiment. 

^^The  season  has  been  unusually  gay.  Gwen- 
dolen has  had  enough  attention  to  turn  a  less  well- 
set  little  head  than  her  own.  She  is  very  dear  to 
me — already  almost  like  a  daughter.  She  is  in- 
tending to  write  to  you,  she  says,  but  asks  me  to 
send  her  love,  as  she  is  just  now  off  with  the  Laugh- 
ton-Seaburys  to  Ranelagh. 

^^I  shall  send  Jci^ckson  out  to  you  as  you  request. 
Both  Margaret  and  he  seem  determined,  like  their 
master,  to  try  life  in  the  New  World.  A  very 
proper  place  for  persons  of  their  class.  I  had  for- 
gotten to  mention  that  Bertie  is  thinking  of  tak- 
ing a  rather  prolonged  trip  after  the  Session 
closes.  He  seems  to  wish  a  more  practical  knoAvl- 
edge  of  some  of  the  Colonial  questions  constantly 
arising,  and  proposes  sailing  some  time  in  August 
for  the  Cape  or  Australia  or  quelqite  part, 

^^By  the  way,  you  remember  young  Hope?  I 
met  him  at  her  grace's  the  other  day,  and  he  ex- 
pressed an  extraordinary  interest  in  the  West,  and 
in  that  peculiarly  uncivilized  people  you  live  among. 


40  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

He  even  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  if  he  heard  of  a 
good  opening  he  would  go  out  and  try  his  fortune. 
It  occurs  to  me  that  this  might  be  your  opportunity 
for  selling  out.  At  all  events,  I  do  not  look  upon 
your  residence  in  America  as  anything  more  than 
temporary.  I  only  hope  you  will  escape  without 
any  serious  physical  injury.  The  exceeding  famil- 
iarity of  the  natives  with  the  free  use  of  firearms 
would  make  one  fear  for  life  as  well  as  limb. 
Fortunately  there  is  no  danger  of  a  more  senti- 
mental nature  to  be  apprehended  amongst  so  un- 
cultured a  people. 

^'Keep  me  informed  of  your  health  and  inter- 
ests, and  believe  me,  as  ever,  to  be  your  affec- 
tionate mother, 

^^  Ekmyntrude  Galbraith.^^ 

Apparently  the  letter  had  not  been  immediately 
posted,  for  enclosed  therein  was  also  a  thin  sheet 
of  paper,  written  over  in  a  large  clear  hand,  and 
bearing  a  subsequent  date  to  the  main  e]3istle.  In 
the  corner  was  a  coronet,  set  diagonally,  and 
scrawled  beneath,  in  the  stationer's  latest  agony 
of  invention,  the  name  of  Gwendolen. 

This  letter,  like  the  other,  began,  ''  Dear  God- 
frey,^"*  and  in  a  sisterly  off-hand  way  described 
some  of  the  more  recent  incidents  of  the  season, 
now  quite  at  its  height.  In  frank,  good,  comrade- 
like words  the  writer  expressed  her  sorrow  at  God- 
frey's absence  ;  told  him  without  reserve  that  she 
had  found  no  one  who  danced  to  compare  with 


A   MAN'S   CO]SrSCIENCE.  41 

him.  And  as  to  the  river,  she  positively  dreaded 
the  season  upon  it  without  him.  She  expressed 
the  profound  hope  that  ^^he  would  soon  weary  of 
squaws  and  wigwams,  and  return  without  harm 
to  the  haunts  of  civilization/^  With  the  com- 
monplaces  of  an  occasional  correspondence  where 
no  very  deep  feeling  is  stirred/ the  letter  con- 
cluded, and  was  signed  in  the  most  approved 
fashionable  disguise,  '^  Gwendolen  Alleyne/^ 

Godfrey  read  the  letters  through  with  interest, 
almost  forgetting,  for  the  moment,  his  own  sur- 
roundings and  the  thousands  of  miles  stretching 
between  his  present  home  and  that  old  one  which 
even  at  this  distance  seemed  the  more  real. 
He  sat  musing  for  some  moments  over  his  mother^s 
letter  before  returning  it  to  the  envelope.  At  last 
he  exclaimed,  ^'  That's  like  the  mater  !  she  never 
will  be  content  unless  she's  tempting  Destiny. 
Kow  what  could  be  better  for  the  family  than  to 
have  one  of  us  at  least  take  a  practical  view  of  our 
aristocratic  pauperism,  and  make  an  attempt  to 
ward  off  a  day  of  reckoning  in  the  Bankruptcy 
Court  !  It  wouldn't  add  much  to  Bertie's  felicity 
to  find  one  of  his  brothers  summoned  before  that 
august  tribunal.  If  I've  invested  my  modest  all 
in  a  few  square  acres  of  rich  farm-land,  that  surely 
can't  be  a  reason  for  lament  ?  ISTo  ;  until  I  can 
show  myself  something  better  than  a  gentlemanly 
beggar,  lounging  about  expensive  clubs  and  mak- 
ing friends  with  my  tailor  lest  he  should  at  an 
awkward  moment  see  fit  to  present  inconvenient 


42  A  MAN'S  COKSCIEl!^CE. 

bills,  here  I  shall  remain  among  the  somewhat  mixed 
population  that  my  mother  so  feelingly  deprecates. 

^^  As  to  Gwen — dear  Gwen  ! — she  was  always  the 
cheeriest  of  comrades,  an  awfully  good  pal.  Never 
making  a  row  if  you  weren't  on  hand  the  minute 
you  had  promised  to  be  ;  always  well  turned  out, 
and  doing  a  man  credit  in  the  Kow.  A  splendid 
step  really  on  a  good  floor.  I  don't  know  of  a 
girl  who  came  up  to  her  all  last  season  in  the  ball- 
•room.  And  as  to  her  riding  :  how  I  should  enjoy 
having  her  out  here  for  one  of  her  mad  gallops  ! 
She  would  find  a  new  experience  in  a  fifty-mile 
heat  straight  ahead  without  fence  or  ditch.  I 
must  try  and  describe  it  to  her."' 

With  these  pleasant  reflections,  Godfrey  dis- 
missed the  subject  for  the  present,  and  went  out 
to  give  directions  about  the  care  of  his  horses,  and 
to  hold  a  consultation  with  Paterson,  who  had  al- 
ready arrived,  concerning  the  affairs  of  the  farm. 
This,  with  a  long  ride,  filled  the  entire  day.  But 
that  evening,  when  resting  with  his  feet  stretched 
out  on  a  chair  before  him,  and  his  pipe  between 
his  lips,  some  thoughts  of  the  new  experiences  of 
the  day  before  crept  in  and  kept  him  company. 

He  found  himself  trying  to  reconcile  an  inhar- 
monious setting  with  the  delicate  beauty  of  a  por- 
trait that  was  ever  rising  before  his  mind's  vision. 
A  girl  pushed  herself  backwards  and  forwards  in 
a  swing  under  a  shadowy  tree,  while  the  delicate 
tints  of  her  fair  face  changed  and  varied  with 
every  passing  thought. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIEITCE.  43 

This  was  a  rare  flower  to  blossom  on  the  thorns 
of  an  unlovely  tree.  He  could  not  account  for 
the  incongruity.  There  was  a  tone  of  refinement 
in  all  that  she  said,  and  even  in  the  deprecating, 
half -uttered  thoughts  that  never  found  other  ex- 
pression save  in  the  translucent  depths  of  her 
trusting  eyes,  that  he  could  not  find  reason  for  in 
her  commonplace  life  and  environment.  He  was 
continually  trying  to  trace  some  personal  resem- 
blance between  Milly's  delicate  lines  and  the  lank 
angularity  of  her  father's  better-known  type.  He 
smiled  as  he  thought  of  Sandy's  unshorn  locks  and 
uncut  beard  ever  having  suggested  the  beauty  of 
his  daughter's  blonde  crown.  He  forgot  that  time 
and  exposure  can  do  much  towards  robbing  us  of  any 
semblance  of  our  youth.  He  compared  the  father 
and  daughter  feature  by  feature,  seeking  in  vain  a 
point  of  similarity.  At  the  eyes  he  stopped.  Al- 
though they  certainly  were  not  alike  in  shade  or 
shape,  yet  each  held  the  same  expression  of  child- 
like confidence,  of  unsuspecting  trust — almost  the 
same  amount  of  innocent  frankness.  Yes  ;  in  this 
one  regard  she  was  her  father's  child  ;  but  with  the 
persistence  of  one  trying  to  formulate  a  reason  for 
something  wholly  irreconcileable,  he  summed  up 
Milly's  superiority  with  the  trite  conclusion  that 
her  mother  must  have  been  very  beautiful. 

At  all  events,  the  subject  served  for  thought 
during  the  consumption  of  a  fair  amount  of  tobac- 
co, and  until  its  soothing  influence  had  suggested 
that  it  was  bedtime. 


CHAPTEE  TV. 

DvnmG  the  following  weeks  the  country  for 
miles  around  was  noisy  with  the  whirr  of  reapers, 
and  alive  with  men  and  boys  gathering  in  the  har- 
vest. The  season  had  been  a  fine  one,  the  farmers 
reluctantly  admitted.  There  had  been  no  rain  of 
late  to  hinder  the  ripening,  nor  violent  storms  of 
hail  or  wind  to  lay  the  crop  low.  In  the  early 
summer  an  unusual  amount  of  gentle  rain  had 
fallen,  bringing  forward  the  young  shoots  and  de- 
veloping the  full  ears.  Even  the  gossips  at  the 
Cross  Eoads  had  little  to  say  in  condemnation. 
The  season,  it  was  grudgingly  owned,  had  been 
^^oncommon.^^  On  some  of  the  farms  the  crop 
had  already  been  reaped,  and  the  orderly  groups  of 
sheaves  which  had  stood  like  an  army  scattered 
over  the  plain  had  been  stacked,  waiting  the 
threshing-machine. 

Sandy  had  not  been  as  successful  as  his  neigh- 
bors in  securing  help  for  the  extra  work,  and  so, 
with  the  exception  of  a  far  corner  of  the  farm 
where  he  worked  daily  with  the  laborers  whom  he 
always  employed,  nothing  had  been  done  towards 
the  reaping  of  the  wheat.  He  had  been  especially 
thankful  for  the  excellent  promise  of  the  harvest, 
as  he  had  felt  some  misgiving  as  to  the  wisdom  of 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  45 

depleting  his  small  savings  by  the  extravagant  in- 
dulgence of  his  daughter. 

^^But/^  he  reflected,  ^^-she  had  parted  with  her 
schoolmates  for  good  this  time,  and  hadnH  much 
to  look  forward  to  in  life  on  the  farm.  It  was  dull 
enough  for  the  young  thing  out  thar  alone  with 
him,  and  ^twasn^t  mor^n  nateral  that  she  should 
like  the  little  fixin's  he  could  give  her.^^ 

It  was  not  quite  thrifty,  perhaps,  to  draw  on 
his  bank  account  for  so  heavy  a  demand,  but,  with 
luck,  he  would  make  it  up  after  the  harvest ;  at 
any  rate,  he  was  glad  he  had  given  Milly  these 
supreme  indulgences. 

Now  he  thought  of  it,  the  piazza  seemed  the 
best  investment  after  all,  for  she  evidently  pre- 
ferred it  to  any  other  part  of  the  house.  There 
she  sat  rocking  herself  in  the  cushioned  chair 
almost  from  morning  until  night.  Presently  he 
remembered  he  hadn't  heard  the  sound  of  the 
piano  accompanying  her  sweet  voice  for  many  a 
long  day.  He  hoped  the  child  wasn't  moping. 
He  must  get  out  the  accordion,  and  see  if  he 
couldn't  inspire  his  little  girl  to  take  more  interest 
in  her  music.  That  evening,  indeed,  the  strains 
of  '^  Lily  Dale  "  were  heard  falling  in  long-drawn 
cadences  across  the  acres  of  ripened  grain.  Its 
harrowing  melody  seemed  to  touch  the  heart  of 
every  living  thing,  for  surely  the  stalks  nodded 
and  whispered  as  the  evening  breeze  stirred  them, 
carrying  the  sound  far  out  on  the  plain. 

Its  melancholy  reached  Milly  down  in  the  grove, 


46  A   MA^sT'S    CONSCIENCE. 

where  she  sat  alone  in  the  swing.  She  could  not 
have  told  what  it  was  that  brought  tears  to  her 
eyes — certainly  not  the  laborious  rendering  of  her 
father's  favorite  air,  for  that  she  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  from  infancy.  And,  moreover,  since  at- 
taining the  more  critical  knowledge  of  later  years, 
the  simple  strains  had  of  tener  provoked  a  smile  than 
a  tear  from  her  blue  eyes.  Tears  had  been  frequent 
with  her  of  late,  and  that,  too,  she  could  not  have 
accounted  for.  She  had  been  strangely  sensitive  to 
every  outside  influence;  a  sudden  sound  or  a  hurried 
step  would  send  the  blood  from  her  heart  in  a  leap 
of  sudden  emotion.  What  change  had  come  over 
her  life  that  she  should  thus  sit  with  strained  ear 
and  beating  heart  ?  Nothing  had  happened  to  vary 
the  monotony  of  her  entire  eighteen  years,  and 
yet  had  she  not  been  sufficiently  happy  in  her  un- 
eventful life  ?  What  was  she  expecting  ?  For 
what  did  she  long  ?  she  asked  herself. 

Now  and  then,  during  the  last  weeks,  their  lives 
had  been  stirred  by  the  advent  of  a  stranger. 

A  few  times  she  had  felt  the  glamour  of  an  exist- 
ence that  before  she  had  experienced  only  in 
dreams.  Here  she  touched  a  life,  if  ever  so  re- 
motely, that  revealed  what  the  world  contained  of 
soul-satisfying  charm.  For  the  first  time  she  met 
with  that  responsive  look  and  word  which  interpret 
sympathy.  She  could  not  have  analyzed  the  charm 
of  Godfrey^s  companionship ;  all  was  so  new,  re- 
freshing, satisfying. 

She  thought,  if  her  thoughts  took  form  at  all  in 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE.  47 

those  days^  of  how  she  could  nearer  approach  that 
standard  of  attractive  womanhood  which  he  un- 
thinkingly revealed  had  made  a  part  of  his  past 
life.  In  boyish  confidence  he  had  spoken  of  his 
mother^  of  his  home^  of  women  who  had  filled  that 
world  of  enchantment  of  which  he  seemed  a  part. 
It  was  beautiful,  wonderful,  almost  like  her  dream 
that  summer's  day  !  Only  then  she  had  thought 
a  prince  would  come  and  deliver  her  from  her 
lonely  island  in  the  golden  sea,  and  now,  somehow, 
she  felt  that  she  would  never  be  free. 

When  the  strains  of  ^^Lily  Dale  '^  died  in  a  note 
of  discordant  collapse,  and  the  instrument  had 
again  been  consigned  to  its  case,  Sandy  went  out 
to  find  his  daughter.  He  couldn^t  remember  ever 
to  have  missed  her  an  entire  evening  before. 
Hearing  his  step,  she  came  quickly  from  the  dim 
vista  of  the  grove,  approaching  her  father  in  the 
shaft  of  light  projected  through  the  open  door. 
Catching  sight  of  her  as  she  came  out  into  the 
light,  he  was  startled  by  the  strained  expression  of 
pain  in  her  white  face. 

^^Milly,  child,'^  he  said,  ^^what^s  come  over 
you  ?  What  you  been  doin^  to  yourself  that  you 
look  more  like  a  ghost  than  a  right-down  healthy 
piece  of  flesh  and  blood.  Y^'oughter  not  be  sittin' 
out  in  the  dew  like  that.  I  had  no  idea  you  was 
a-swingin'  out  thar  alone  by  yourself.  ''Taint  good 
for  you.  Now  mind  my  words,  you'll  have  aguey 
as  sure  as  you're  a  born  child  !  Come  right  along 
in,  and  let  me  give  you  a  dose  of  quinine  and 


48  A   MA]f' S   CONSCIENCE. 

whisky.  There  ain't  nothin'  better  for  slight 
chill.  ^YhJ,  you're  shiverin^  this  hot  night  !  If 
^twa'nt  our  State^  I'd  say  you'd  got  it  as  sure  as 
guns.  For  the  Lor's  sake  don't  go  and  get  aguey 
of  all  things  !  It's  just  burn  and  freeze^  freeze 
and  burn^  till  your  skin's  dried  up  like  pa'chment, 
and  the  very  teeth  in  your  head  drop  out  for 
shakin' !  That  posy  complexion  of  yourn  would 
look  more  like  a  dried  last  year's  apple  than  the 
heart  of  a  cabbage-rose  if  once  you  war  took. 
There  ain't  no  chances  wu'th  takin'  in  this  ^ere 
changeable  climate.'^ 

In  his  endeavor  to  impress  the  risks  of  neglect 
upon  his  child,  Sandy  forgot  to  recall  the  last  six 
weeks  of  unvarying  sunshine  by  day  and  of  cool 
refreshing  dew  by  night. 

^-'No,  you^d  find  intermittent  ^most  as  pesky  as 
aguey,  Fm  bound  to  say.  ISTothin'  will  do  for  it 
but  quinine  and  whisky.  I  'most  lived  on  it  my- 
self them  fust  few  years  I  was  settled  in  Michigan. 
^Tvvas  a  close  shave  between  the  chills  and  ,the 
quinine  which  would  come  out  ahead  ;  but  constant 
dosin'  did  the  job,  and  the  chills  got  wursted.'^ 

^'Take  this,'^  he  urged  persuasively,  presenting 
a  glass  to  Milly,  in  which  he  had  dissolved  a  dose 
of  the  omnipotent  drug  sufficiently  powerful  to 
have  astonished  an  eastern  practitioner. 

''I  don't  believe  I  need  it,"  objected  Milly,  with 
a  wry  face. 

'^  Ya-as,  you  do  ;  swaller  it  right  along  as  I  tell 
you  ;  ^twon't  do  to  tempt  Providence." 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE.  49 

^^  Providence  has  probable  got  suthin^  better  to 
do  than  snoopin^  to  see  whether  you  do  or  whether 
yon  don't  take  drugs/'  remarked  Hannah  in  her 
deepest  baritone;  '"^but  ef  ye're  sot  on  pleasin' 
Ilim  I  should  recermend  ye  to  leave  out  the 
whisky.  Fve  had  my  surmise  mor'n  once  that 
thar  wouldn't  be  such  a  plaguey  sight  of  aguey  in 
the  world  ef  'twern't  for  the  trimmin's.  Twenty- 
five  years  of  stiddy  diet  would  do  consid'able 
towards  subduin'  the  nateral  beauty  of  even  the 
most  likeliest  amongst  us.  You  needn't  lay  yer 
skin  and  teeth  at  the  aguey's  door  alone^  Sandy 
Alistair/'  she  added  severely,  as  though  these 
physical  attributes  might  have  been  votive  offer- 
ings laid  upon  the  altar  of  the  evil  goddess  whom 
she  named. 

^^  There  isn't  much  danger  of  my  getting  to  like 
either  the  drug  or  the  drink,  Hannah/'  Milly  an- 
swered ;  ''  and  as  I  was  born  out  here,  and  never 
have  had  a  day's  sickness  in  my  life,  I  guess  I'll 
manage  without  much  dosing. " 

'^  I  don't  know  about  yer  never  bein'  sick," 
grumbled  the  factotum ;  ^^  yer  had  fits  as  fast  as 
yer  had  teeth  ;  that  I'm  likely  to  know  about,  for 
I  brung  you  thro'  when  Sandy  sat  howlin'  like  a 
madman  on  the  doorstep.  For  real  downright 
flimsiness  and  want  of  the  fust  glimmer  o'  common 
sense,  guv  me  a  man  in  time  of  sickness.  Then 
they's  got  about  as  much  backbone  as  a  sarpint. 
Can't  lay  their  clumsy  hands  on  a  blessed  thing 
that  anybody  wants,  and  will  creep  twenty  times 


60  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

all  round  a  room  to  fetch  ye  suthin^  he  hadn^t 
seen  for  a  year,  and  thought  was  in  the  ash-heap. 
Ask  ^em  to  drop  ye  a  few  drops  o^  suthin''  that  like 
as  not's  deadly  p'ison,  and  their  hand  shakes  and 
the  spoon  wobbles  till  they^s  poured  out  enough  to 
put  ye  in  yer  coffin.  Get  ^em  to  sot  up  with  ye, 
and  they  let  the  fire  out  in  the  fust  two  hours  and 
spend  the  rest  o'  the  night  lettin^  the  kindling- 
wood  drop,  and  blowin^  the  smoke  out  inter  the 
room,  or  askin^  ye  where  the  matches  is  till  yer 
^most  a  mind  to  get  up  and  put  it  in  yersel\ 
Then  a  man  can^t  go  without  eatin^  any  mor^'n  a 
canary.  He  wants  his  meals  right  along,  peck, 
peck,  peck,  even  ef  the  doctor's  in  the  house. 
^Pears  sometimes  as  though  men  was  all  stummick 
and  no  grit,  or  else  they  is  so  selfish  from  Adam 
down  that  they  can^t  think  of  the  wimmin-folks 
fust  and  theirsels  afterwards.  I  can^'t  tell  how  it 
is,  and  I  guess  ^twill  never  be  known,  just  why 
the  wimmin  got  the  wust  o'  that  thar  fust  cussin\ 
^Cordin^  to  my  idea,  that  man  Adam  must  ha^ 
been  a  pesky  varmint.  ^^ 

By  this  time  Hannah  had  rolled  up  the  leg  of 
the  stocking  she  was  knitting,  and  stuck  a  pin  to 
show  the  evening's  advance  in  its  ribbed  length, 
and  without  further  concession  to  courtesy 
stalked  out  of  the  room  and  sought  her  own  small 
apartment  opening  off  the  kitchen.  Milly  kissed 
her  father,  and  soon  darkness  and  slumber  were 
the  portion  of  the  inmates  of  Sandy's. 


CHAPTEE  V. 

DuRi]^G  the  busy  time  of  harvesting,  Godfrey^s 
visits  to  his  neighbor  had  of  necessity  been  less 
frequent.  Kecognizing  the  old  farmer's  sound 
sense  and  practical  judgment,  he  had  fallen  into 
the  habit  of  consulting  Sandy  on  all  points  requir- 
ing experience.  It  cannot  be  denied,  however, 
that  the  peculiar  charm  he  found  in  the  appealing 
eyes  and  sweet  face  of  Sandy's  daughter  had  some- 
thing to  do  with  the  young  man's  frequent  excuses 
for  presenting  himself  at  the  farm. 

Arriving  there  late  one  afternoon  in  August,  after 
a  hot  and  tiring  ride,  he  experienced  a  certain 
pang  of  disappointment  in  finding  Milly  away  from 
home. 

^^  She  had  druv  off  in  the  boghie  with  Hanner 
to  the  store, ^'  Jim  laconically  volunteered  as  he 
took  Godfrey^s  horse.  The  ^^boss^^  also  was  away 
seeing  to  the  thrashing  in  the  distant  fields. 
Nevertheless  Godfrey  determined  to  make  himself 
sufficiently  at  home  to  enter  and  await  Sandy's 
return. 

The  house  seemed  to  have  lost  some  of  its  at- 
tractive homeliness  with  the  absence  of  the  young 
mistress ;  there  was  altogether  a  sense  of  desertion 
and  silence  about  the  place  that  was  oppressive. 


52  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

The  square  white-faced  clock  on  the  mantel-shelf 
ticked  out  the  minutes  with  aggravating  delibera- 
tion. Flies  buzzed  and  beat  themselves  upon  the 
windows  and  ceiling  with  noisy  vehemence.  The 
cat  had  found  some  more  attractive  shelter  this 
sultry  afternoon^  for  she  did  not  appear  to  keep 
Godfrey  company  in  the  silent  house.  The  air 
was  intensely  lifeless,  almost  insupportable.  God- 
frey thought  he  had  never  felt  the  atmosphere  so 
stifling.     There  must  be  thunder  in  the  air. 

Exertion  of  any  kind  seemed  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. Finally  even  the  flies  ceased  to  beat  their 
wings,  and  settled  in  black  groups  on  the  white- 
washed wall.  There  was  something  foreboding  in 
the  silence  of  the  house.  Godfrey  got  up  at  last 
and  went  outside,  standing  facing  the  west.  A 
strange  change  had  taken  place.  The  heavens, 
which  had  appeared  clear  when  he  entered,  had 
now  become  suddenly  overcast  with  a  translucent 
mass  of  gray-green  cloud  ;  from  the  horizon  to  the 
zenith  it  stretched  like  an  even  canopy,  save  where 
a  line  of  tawny  light  divided  the  earth  from  the 
sky.  Quickly  the  heavens  grew  darker,  as  layer 
upon  layer  was  added  to  the  dense  mass.  Godfrey 
had  never  seen  so  vast  an  expanse  of  threatening 
sky.  Some  sense  of  the  omnipotence  of  a  storm 
rolling  up  and  gathering  force  with  every  mile  it 
moved  over  the  uninterrupted  prairie  struck  him 
in  the  few  moments  he  stood  fascinated  by  the 
scene.  The  deepening  clouds  had  rendered  the 
outlook  already  but  a  circle  of  limited  area.     Over 


A  MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE.  53 

all  lay  the  strange  green  darkness  shaded  with  the 
copper  light.  Not  a  leaf  stirred ;  not  a  sound 
broke  the  stillness.  No  rain  fell,  nor  was  there 
as  yet  either  lightning  or  thunder  to  betoken  the 
terrible  storm  that  seemed  hovering  close  upon  the 
earth. 

Standing  alone,  with  the  darkened  sky  drawing 
nearer  and  nearer,  until  it  seemed  to  close  him 
round  with  awful  blackness,  a  sense  of  his  own 
helplessness  in  the  face  of  such  elemental  power 
filled  Godfrey  for  a  moment  with  strange  awe. 
But  even  in  these  few  seconds  a  subtle  change 
crept  on. 

Far  away,  where  the  clouds  had  now  formed 
themselves  into  a  funnel-shaped  mass,  there  came 
from  out  the  darkness  an  ominous  sound  as  of  ris- 
ing wind.  A  strange  weird  sigh  at  first,  that 
seemed  to  hold  all  the  pent-up  woe  of  Nature's 
heart.  Then  deeper,  stronger,  more  desperate,  a 
wail  of  embodied  melancholy ;  a  burst  of  over- 
whelming passion,  like  a  demon  in  distress.  On 
and  on,  gathering  in  intensity  with  every  mile 
traversed ;  twisting,  writhing,  circling,  but  carry- 
ing all  before  it.  Great  trees  bent  until  their  bows 
lay  prostrate  on  the  quivering  earth.  Branches  as 
big  as  a  man's  body  were  wrenched  from  huge 
trunks  and  carried  through  the  air  like  feathers. 
Trees  uprooted  joined  in  the  mad  whirl. 

Buildings  were  seized  in  the  mighty  grip  of  this 
hurrying  monster,  twisted  and  thrown  upon  the 
ground  like  cardboard  toys.     Cattle  ceased  their 


54  A  MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

frightened  lowing,  struck  to  right  or  left  or  whirled 
in  mid-air.  Men  clung  to  whatever  was  at  hand 
that  promised  resistance,  or  better  still,  if  experi- 
ence taught,  flung  themselves  face  downward  on 
the  earth. 

To  Godfrey,  who  had  never  witnessed  a  storm 
like  this,  there  seemed  an  awful  sublimity  in  its 
strength.  But  in  a  flash  he  had  realized  what 
must  be  the  helplessness  of  any  one  exposed  on  the 
open  prairie  !  He  thought  of  Milly,  perhaps  on 
her  way  home,  and  miles  from  any  shelter.  All 
the  tales  of  disaster  he  had  ever  heard  related  con- 
cerning these  sudden  storms  rose  in  his  mind,  and 
beside  them  he  saw  the  appealing  face  of  Sandy's 
daughter.  What  was  this  mad  beating  of  his 
heart  ?  Instantly  every  consideration  of  personal 
fear  seemed  swallowed  up  in  the  one  potent 
anxiety.  What  could  he  do  ?  how  save  her  ?  were 
the  flashes  rather  than  intelligent  thoughts  that 
passed  through  his  brain.  In  an  instant  he  had 
flown  through  the  house  with  the  half -formed 
resolution  of  riding  somehow  somewhere  to  find 
and  shelter  her. 

At  the  same  moment  hurrying  feet  rushed  past 
him — men  seeking  shelter  in  the  barns ;  while 
from  out  the  semi-darkness  he  heard  Sandy's  voice 
in  tense  tones  of  alarm  calling,  ^^  Milly  !  Milly, 
child  !  Hasn't  she  come  back  ?  Isn't  she  home 
yet?  They  will  be  in  the  track  of  the  storm  !  My 
God  !  what  will  save  her  ?  '^ 

Godfrey  flung  himself  into  the  saddle  as  the  first 


Godfrey  stuck  hh  spurs  deep  into  her  sides;  s/ie  gave  a  ivhinny 
of  reproachful  protest  and  plurtged  forward.'''' 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCB.  55 

blinding  gust  struck  them.  The  mare  planted  her 
feet  firmly  before  her,  and  with  obstinate  instinct 
refused  to  stir.  Godfrey  stuck  his  spurs  deep  into 
her  sides  ;  she  gave  a  whinny  of  reproachful  pro- 
test, and  plunged  forward.  But  who  could  outride 
the  wind  ?  In  blinding  gusts  and  circling  eddies 
of  broken  trees,  splintered  clapboards,  farm  imple- 
ments, wagons,  crops,  cattle,  even  men,  the  fast- 
revolving  tornado  carried  all  before  it.  Godfrey, 
swept  along  with  the  rest  for  a  moment,  seemed 
to  lose  all  identity  in  the  hurrying  wilderness. 
Suddenly  the  horse,  struck  by  some  sharp  missile, 
shied,  reared,  and  fell,  with  Godfrey  still  in  the 
saddle.  He  tried  to  extricate  himself,  but  the 
weight  of  the  mare  held  him  down.  He  could  see 
nothing  because  of  the  blinding  dust  and  wind- 
driven  chaff  which  filled  the  air,  but  he  felt  that 
the  worst  of  the  storm  had  spent  itself.  He  now 
became  aware  of  a  strange  tingling  sensation  in 
the  leg  held  down  by  the  horse,  that  seemed  to 
sicken  him  and  stagnate  the  blood  about  his  heart. 
He  almost  lost  interest  in  his  position,  the  result 
of  the  storm,  the  object  of  his  ride — everything. 
He  struggled  to  remember  where  he  was,  and  why 
this  numbing  weight  held  him  a  prisoner.  At 
length  he  ceased  to  feel  the  throbbing  life  of  the 
still  struggling  animal ;  he  no  longer  heard  the  in- 
termittent rush  of  the  storm,  for  he  had  lost  con- 
sciousness. 

Hannah^ s    long    opportunity    for    observation, 
coupled  with  a  natural  sagacity,  had  taught  her  to 


56  A   MAN'S  COKSCIEi^CE. 

know  and  take  account  of  many  of  the  signs  of 
the  weather.  Earely  was  she  deceived,  and  to-day 
was  no  exception.  Several  times  had  she  objected 
to  this  trip  to  the  Cross  Roads  before  Milly  could 
persuade  her  to  don  her  best  black  alpaca  and 
make  ready  for  the  drive. 

^^It^s  that  trech^rous-lookin^  over  to^rds  the 
Pines/^  she  had  observed,  ^^that  thar^s  no  tellin^ 
what'll  happen.  ^Tain^t  no  day  for  playin^  fast 
and  loose  with  the  weather.  Thar^'s  thunder  some- 
wharfs  about,  or  IVe  got  no  more  sense  ^n  a  don- 
key. In  the  fust  place,  the  cream^s  turned,  and  I 
never  knew  it  to  fail  when  a  storm^s  brewin\  Then 
thar^s  that  singin^  in  my  ears  agen,  jest^s  tho^  a 
swarm  o^  bees  was  usin^  my  head  for  a  hive.  Thar 
ain^t  no  use  goin'  agen  natur.  T^e  tried  it,  and  I 
al'ays  get  come  up  with.  Now  mind  my  words  : 
sure  as  you  insist  and  start  out  to-day,  jest  so  sure 
we^re  goin^  to  get  caught  in  suthin^  out  o^  the  com- 
mon. Ef  we  go,  thank  the  Lord  ^tain't  none  o^ 
my  doin^ ! '' 

But  Milly  was  not  convinced.  She  took  Han- 
nah to  the  door  and  pointed  out  the  absolute 
clearness  of  the  sky.  Not  a  cloud  anywhere.  One 
could  almost  see  the  outline  of  the  Pine  Creek 
Slope.  Milly  was  very  persistent,  and  when  she 
chose  to  employ  all  her  coaxing  ways  upon  the  old 
woman,  who  had  been  nurse,  friend,  almost 
mother,  to  her  since  her  birth,  she  usually  won 
the  day. 

The  result  had  been  that  Hannah  had   taken 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  57 

her  revenge  in  a  ceaseless  flow  of  evil  prophecies 
that  would  have  weakened  the  resolution  of  a  less 
self-reliant  young  woman  than  Milly. 

The  elder  had,  however,  so  far  prevailed  as  to 
somewhat  curtail  the  length  of  their  shopping  ex- 
pedition. They  had  started  on  their  homeward 
journey  soon  after  the  midday  meal.  However  the 
old  horse  they  drove  might  have  been  commended 
for  endurance,  it  certainly  never  could  have  won 
reputation  for  speed.  Hannah,  as  usual,  sat  bolt 
upright  in  the  buggy,  with  the  reins  held  in  her 
manly  grasp,  never  ceasing  to  urge  the  animal  to 
greater  speed  by  repeated  jerkings,  resounding 
slaps  of  the  leather  on  the  animal's  callous  back, 
and  the  constant  encouragement  conveyed  in  ^^go- 
lang ''  oft  repeated. 

If  there  is  any  pleasure  to  be  found  in  the 
fulfilment  of  evil  prognostications  where  the 
prophet  is  also  a  victim,  Hannah  certainly  was  in 
a  fair  way  to  be  satisfied.  Even  Milly  at  last 
reluctantly  admitted  that  it  looked  like  a  storm. 

'^ Storm!''  sniffed  her  companion;  ^'it's  goin^ 
to  pour  cats  and  dogs  'fore  we  reach  the  next 
shanty,  and  I'll  be  thankful  ef  'tain't  no  wuss. 
Go-lang  ! "  This  last  addressed  to  the  raw-boned 
animal  she  was  urging  forward. 

The  strange  light  that  had  settled  over  the  land- 
scape caused  Milly  to  ask  if  her  companion  had 
ever  seen  anything  of  the  kind  before  in  her 
Western  experience. 

^^Ya-as,  I  hev,"  replied  IIani}ali ;  '^'twere  the 


58  A   MAN'S   COl^TSCIENCE. 

same  year  I  was  tliinkin^  o^  makin^  a  blame  fule  of 
myself  by  gettin^  married.  That  storm  were  a 
direct  interpersition  o'  Providence/^  she  went  on, 
''  ^Twere  one  of  them  wind-storms^  and  come  up 
jest  as  this  Spears  to  be  gatherin^  now.  It  swept 
clean  thro'  the  country,  clearin'  up  everything  that 
stood  in  its  way,  much  as  a  patent  rake  cleans  a 
hayfield.  They  wa'n't  so  much  as  a  barn  left  to 
show  whar  Amos  Barton's  farm  had  stood. 
Providence  see  fit  to  take  things  into  His  own 
hand  that  time.  I've  never  got  over  givin'  thanks 
for  delivery  from  that  thar  snar'  o'  matrimony.^' 

By  this  time  the  lowering  blackness  had  settled 
down  over  all  the  land,  and  the  hush  of  Nature's 
susjDended  breath  had  lent  a  certain  solemnity  to 
their  isolation  that  even  the  elder  woman  could 
not  resist.  The  horse,  too,  had  become  restive, 
picking  his  way  with  timorous  uncertainty.  They 
were  now  within  Sandy's  domain ;  but  except  for 
an  occasional  shed  without  sides,  where  sometimes 
the  farm  implements  were  sheltered,  there  was  not 
a  hope  of  cover  before  the  farmhouse  should  be 
reached.  Hannah  lashed  the  frightened  beast  to 
greater  exertion,  while  Milly  silenlty  strained  her 
eyes  for  any  familiar  landmark  that  would  show 
them  where  they  were. 

^'  What  is  that  ?"  she  suddenly  asked,  grasping 
the  old  woman's  arm. 

'^  Wind  !  "  ejaculated  Hannah  shortly. 

^^  It's  like  the  roar  of  a  thousand  waters,"  gasped 
Milly  doubtingly. 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  69 

^^  I  don't  know  what  it's  like^  and  I  don't  care  ; 
but  it's  on  us  sure  as  taxes.  You'd  better  pray/' 
she  added,  turning  to  Millj;  ^^I've  got  all  I  ken 
do  to  'tend  to  the  boss." 

But  there  was  scarcely  time  for  Milly's  short 
'^  God  help  us  !  "  before  the  same  great  storm  of  en- 
gulfing wind  surrounded  them  that  had  borne  God- 
frey downwards.  They  involuntarily  crouched  low 
in  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  feeling  it  shiver  and  rise 
in  the  arms  of  the  wind.  With  uncertain  move- 
ment it  settled  again  on  the  four  wheels,  while  the 
horse,  with  a  plunge  of  fear,  carried  them  forwards 
a  few  yards.  This  had  all  passed  quickly,  and 
when  the  frightened  women  raised  their  heads  and 
looked  about  them  there  was  slight  indication  of 
any  personal  damage.  The  covering  of  the  buggy 
had  been  wrenched  clean  from  its  iron  frame,  and 
hung  flapping  in  ribbons  of  tattered  leather  about 
them,  but  further  than  that  it  had  sustained  no 
injury. 

Hannah  was  the  first  to  recover  herself. 

^^The  cyclone's  passed,"  she  said;  ^^we  must 
ha'  ketched  the  outside  rim  of  it  only.  These 
little  gusts  won't  do  no  harm  ;  ef  agree'ble,  mebby 
w^e'd  better  drive  on." 

Milly,  clinging  to  the  side  of  the  carriage  with 
eyes  and  mouth  choked  by  the  blinding  dust, 
made  no  attempt  to  answer,  but  resumed  her  place 
by  her  companion's  side.  As  she  did  so  a  vivid 
flash  of  lightning  cleft  the  air,  and  illumined  for 
a  second  everything  about  them.     Milly  laid  her 


60  A  MAN'S  COKSCIEITCE. 

hands  suddenly  on  the  reins^  pulling  back  the  horse 
from  tramping  on  some  dark  object  in  the  way. 

^^Look!^^  she  said^  ^^  straight  before  us.  A 
horse  is  lying  across  the  road  !  It  might  be  one 
from  the  farm.     AVait  until  I  see.^^ 

She  sprang  from  the  wagon,  and  ran  along 
until  she  laid  her  hand  on  the  prostrate  body  of 
the  horse. 

^^Why,  it's  saddled  !  ^^  she  exclaimed;  ^^some 
one  must  have  been  riding  from  the  farm."" 

An  indefinable  dread  had  taken  possession  of 
her.  She  recognized  the  English  saddle,  and 
already  knew  who  the  rider  must  have  been.  In 
a  second  she  realized  the  fact  that  Godfrey  lay 
helpless  under  the  weight  of  the  fallen  brute.  By 
the  repeated  glare  of  the  lightning  she  beheld  the 
white  senseless  face  of  the  unconscious  man.  With 
a  sharp  cry  to  the  woman  in  the  wagon,  she  flew 
to  the  horse^s  head,  thinking  by  the  power  of  her 
small  hands  to  drag  him  forcibly  from  Godfrey's 
imprisoned  body.  The  mare,  feeling  that  human 
aid  was  near,  gave  a  prolonged  agonized  neigh, 
and  tried  frantically  to  regain  her  feet.  It  was  of 
slight  use.  But  here  Hannah's  superior  physical 
power  was  to  stand  them  in  good  stead.  ^^Urge 
the  horse  up  agen,^'  she  demanded.  While  Milly 
obeyed,  she,  with  vigor  and  adroitness,  extricated 
Godfrey  from  his  helpless  position.  In  a  moment 
Milly  was  by  his  side,  bending  over  him.  His 
closed  eyes  and  relaxed  muscles  seemed  to  her  al- 
most like  death. 


a 

<=^- 
>- 


^ 


^ 


««s 


A   MAWS   CONSCIEiTCE.  61 

^^  0  !  will  he  ever  come  to  ?  '^  she  asked  desper- 
ately :  '^he's  so  white  and  still ;  and  now,  look  ! 
it^s  raining  on  him/"  she  added,  as  the  great  drops 
began  to  beat  upon  his  upturned  face. 

'^  Ya-as,  thet  is  so,  and  the  best  thing  that  could 
happen,  too,""*  rejoined  the  practical  Hannah. 
'^  Here,  give  him  a  sniff  of  this  camphire,""  she 
added,  producing  a  small  bottle  from  the  bag  she 
always  carried  to  church,  and  on  expeditions  of  all 
kinds  that  to  her  mind  implied  possible  risk. 
Milly  lifted  Godfrey^'s  head  against  her  arm,  hold- 
ing the  bottle  to  his  nostrils.  Either  that,  or  the 
refreshing  downpour — for  they  were  all  nov/  wet 
through  with  the  deluge — or  the  sound  of  Milly^s 
voice  near  him,  soon  restored  Godfrey  to  conscious- 
ness. Seeing  her  face  so  near  reminded  him  of 
his  last  waking  thought. 

^^  Tve  found  you,"''  she  heard  him  murmur. 

'^  You  hev"n"t  done  nothin"  of  the  sort,""  an- 
swered Hannah  promptly;  ^^you  hev"n"t  found 
nobody,  but  ef  that  child  hadn"t  eyes  like  needles 
and  wasn"t  as  sharp  as  their  pints,  you"d  a-bin  run 
over  clean,  or  else  lyin"  out  here  alone  in  the  rain 
"till  ye  come  round  o"  yersel",  whenever  that  might 
ha"  bin.  ISTow  yer"d  better  bundle  inter  the  buggy 
along  with  Milly,  and  make  fer  the  farm  ;  fer 
altho"  young  folks  like  as  not  don"t  dread  rhu- 
matiz,  I  don"t  care  mysel"  to  be  bedrid  "fore  my 
time."" 

Godfrey  had  tried  to  rise,  but  from  pain  he  could 
not  repress  was  obliged  to  cling  to  Milly's  arm. 


62  A  ma:n^'s  conscience. 

'^  Thank  you ;  I  should  be  glad  if  you  could 
take  me  in.  I  think  there^s  something  wrong  with 
one  of  my  ankles/^  he  said;  ^^I  seem  not  to  be 
able  to  bear  my  weight  on  it.  Would  you  mind 
helping  me  as  far  as  my  horse  ?  I  must  see  what 
can  be  done  for  her  before  we  start.  ^^ 

"^  Thar^s  no  use  limpin^  all  the  way  to  see  what^s 
the  matter  with  that  thar  boss.  I  can  tell  ye 
right  here ;  she^s  broke  her  leg  the  same  as  you 
has^  and  the  sooner  you  put  a  shot  thro''  her  the 
better.  ^^ 

Godfrey  was  glad  to  have  even  this  decision 
made  for  him.  He  was  suffering  terribly.  With- 
out a  word  he  handed  his  pistol  to  Hannah,  and 
she,  taking  deliberate  aim,  placed  the  ball  in  the 
suffering  animaFs  heart.  With  what  care  they 
could  they  helped  Godfrey  to  the  high-seated 
buggy,  Milly  getting  in  beside  him.  Hannah 
strode  on  through  the  storm.  She  said  that 
^^nothin'  on  airth  ^^  would  induce  her  to  run  the 
further  risk  of  rheumatism  that  driving  threatened  ; 
the  only  hope  lay  in  good  active  exercise.  And  so 
in  this  wise  they  finally  arrived  at  the  farmhouse. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Not  long  after  this^  the  Dowager  Lady  Gal- 
braith^  coming  down  to  breakfast  one  morning, 
found  a  letter  awaiting  her,  bearing  the  familiar 
American  postmark.  She  broke  the  seal  and  read 
the  following : 

''  Sandy's  Ranch,  Oct.  6th,  188—. 

^^My  dear  Mother, — There  has  been  rather  a 
longer  gap  than  nsual  in  my  letters,  but  I  hope 
you  have  not  been  anxious.  The  fact  is,  I  met 
with  a  slight  accident  about  the  end  of  August 
that  made  me  somewhat  seedy,  and  more  than 
ever  disinclined  for  the  fag  of  writing.  I  hope  you 
don't  mind. 

'^  I  got  a  broken  leg  in  that  cyclone,  which,  I 
see,  reached  the  dignity  of  a  paragraph  in  the 
Times,  Query  :  At  how  many  miles  an  hour 
must  the  wind  travel  before  that  estimable  journal 
would  consider  it  of  sufficient  importance  to  report  ? 
I  only  conclude  that  the  storm  in  question  must 
have  been  an  uncommon  specimen  of  its  kind.  At 
all  events,  it  was  a  new  experience  for  me,  and  one 
I  shouldn^t  regret  except  that  I  have  been  tres- 
passing on  the  hospitality  of  a  neighbor  ever  since. 
Even  now  I  am  writing  from  the  shelter  of  his 


64  A  MAN'S  COKSCIE]srCE. 

home.  Happily  my  own  land  escaped,  as  it  lies 
a  little  south  of  the  general  track  of  the  cyclone. 

''  You  are  doubtless  picturing  to  yourself  a  most 
unhappy  victim  and  impatient  patient,  for  I  re- 
member how  I  always  used  to  make  a  nuisance  of 
myself  if  I  needed  a  day^s  nursing.  But  I  am  as- 
sured that  there  is  nothing  in  my  behavior  to  com- 
plain of  in  the  way  of  insubordination,  and  that  I 
have  borne  the  confinement  quite  in  an  exemplary 
manner.  This  leads  me  to  say  that  I  have  had 
the  best  of  care.  I  had  Jackson  over  for  the 
worst  of  the  trouble ;  and  I  have  received  most 
tender  nursing  from  my  host's  daughter,  Millicent 
Alistair. 

^^  She  is  a  very  angel  of  goodness,  so  gentle  and 
refined  ;  not  in  the  least  like  the  farmers'  daugh- 
ters one  sees  here  generally.  She  has  a  very  lovely 
face,  with  clear  blue  eyes  that  seem  in  their  inno- 
cent appeal  to  exact  the  truth  they  reflect.  She 
has  been  educated  at  a  boarding-school  in  one  of 
the  large  cities  near,  and  is  as  intelligent  and  well- 
informed  as  any  fine  lady  at  home.  Moreover, 
she  has  a  delightful  voice  that  only  needs  cultiva- 
tion to  render  it  divine.  The  best  of  it  all  is  that 
she  is  totally  unconscious  of  her  charms,  and  as 
natural  and  unaffected  as  an  innocent  child.  Par- 
don my  dwelling  upon  her  attractive  qualities, 
dear  mother,  though  I  trust  you  will  like  what  I 
have  said  of  her,  for  I  hope,  before  long,  to  make 
Millicent  my  wife. 

^^  I  have  fully  decided  to  remain  here  and  to  throw 


A  MAK'S  CONSCIEI^CE.  65 

in  my  lot  with  the  citizens  of  this  new  world. 
Here  I  find  a  freedom  and  breadth  of  life  wholly 
congenial  to  my  tastes  and  temperament.  In  this 
broad  land  one  has  no  fear  of  treading  on  his 
neighbor's  toes,  as  is  the  case  at  home  ;  one's  atti- 
tude ceases  to  be  that  of  apology  for  existing  at 
all. 

''  There  is  always  room  for  expansion  in  many 
ways,  when  too  close  contact  does  not  limit  one's 
point  of  view.  I  hope  you  will  look  upon  my 
decision  favorably.  There  can  be  no  sufficient 
reason  for  my  following  in  the  track  left  by  Bertie's 
chariot  wheels.  Dear  old  boy  I  I  wish  him  long 
life  and  every  success.  The  little  chappies,  too,  I 
hope  are  doing  well. 

^'1  know  of  what  you  are  thinking — that  my 
decision  implies  a  certain  treachery  towards  the 
dear  girl  you  say  you  already  consider  as  a  daughter. 
But  listen,  and  I  will  show  you  how  far  this  is  from 
being  the  case.  Following  my  profession,  it  would 
be  years  before  I  could  expect  to  oifer  Gwendolen  a 
home.  I  am  aware  that  she  has  a  small  property 
of  her  own,  and  therefore  is  not  without  resources ; 
but  to  gratify  tastes  that  are  inborn  and  expensive 
would  require  an  income  that  jointly  we  never 
could  possess,  unless,  indeed,  I  stick  to  my  life 
out  here. 

'^  I^ow  to  ask  Gwen  to  share  the  vicissitudes  of 
a  Western  farm  would  be  madness.  She  could 
not  face  its  hardships,  nor  endure  the  isolation. 
She  possesses  nothing  greater  for  me  than  a  sisterly 


66  A  MAH'S  CO]S:SCIE]S[CE. 

affection,  which  would  blossom  or  die  as  it  were 
fanned  by  prosperity  or  the  reverse.  She  is  a  dear 
girl,  and  I  am  as  fond  of  her  as  a  brother  could 
be,  but  I  love  her  only  as  such.  I  realize  this 
now.  We  have  never  been  formally  engaged.  She 
loses  nothing  except  the  pleasure  of  gratifying 
you,  her  near  relative,  and  who  will  remain  her 
dearest  friend.  I  will  write  to  Gwen,  and  ask  her 
to  love  Millicent  for  the  sake  of  our  old-time 
fellowship ;  and  when  I  can  bring  her  home  to 
present  to  you  as  my  wife  I  trust  to  your  receiving 
her  with  the  same  warmth  of  affection  you  have 
always  shown  your  devoted  son, 

^'  Godfrey  Alley^^e.^' 

Lady  Galbraith  refolded  the  letter  very  slowly, 
and  sat  lost  in  thought.  The  toast  grew  absolutely 
cold  and  her  tea  unpalatable  before  she  again 
became  aware  that  she  had  tasted  no  breakfast. 
She  acknowledged  that  all  her  worst  fears  with 
regard  to  her  song's  sojourn  in  that  democratic 
country  of  his  choice  had  been  more  than  realized. 
He  had  not  only  sacrificed  a  life  of  gentlemanly 
refinement  for  one  of  coarse  association,  but  was 
about  to  entangle  himself  in  an  alliance  that  would 
hamper  his  entire  career  as  well  as  bring  disgrace 
upon  his  family.  There  had  been  deeds  committed 
during  the  last  six  hundred  years  by  members  of 
the  same  proud  line  that  possibly  would  not  have 
borne  the  glare  of  open  day.  Lady  Galbraith  was 
aware  of  this ;  but  a  marriage  with  an  inferior,  a 


A   MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  67 

staining  of  pure  blood  with  a  vulgar  admixture,  a 
real  downright  mesalliance,  thank  God  !  they  had 
been  mercifully  spared. 

That  here  in  her  own  family,  in  an  age  when 
even  the  younger  sons  of  noble  families  had  almost 
a  choice  of  whom  they  would  marry  among  gentle- 
women of  their  class,  that  she  should  be  threatened 
with  a  connection  so  utterly  distasteful  to  her  in 
every  particular,  seemed  incredible  in  the  extreme. 
Godfrey  must  be  dissuaded  from  an  idea  so  alien 
to  his  bii^th  and  training ;  he  must  be  induced  to 
abandon  his  life  in  the  West,  and  to  return  and 
dwell  in  the  more  desirable  haunts  of  civilized 
society. 

Solitude  and  isolation  had  quite  turned  his 
brain  !  She  had  feared  as  much  since  his  letters 
had  been  filled  with  these  singular  rhapsodies  con- 
cerning the  success  of  his  venture.  Lady  Gal- 
braith  struck  the  closed  letter  impatiently  against 
the  back  of  her  hand. 

^MVhy  did  I  not  take  alarm  before  ?^^  she 
asked  herself.  ^^  Why  did  I  not  feel  with  unerring 
intuition  that  nothing  but  a  w^oman,  a  designing, 
intriguing  woman,  was  at  the  bottom  of  his  con- 
tent ?  Why  have  I  waited  to  be  told  that  I  am 
expected  to  receive  as  a  daughter  some  apple- 
cheeked,  nasal-voiced  Western  hoyden,  who  would 
bring  mortification  to  me  and  misery  upon  Godfrey 
to  the  end  of  his  days  ?  " 

At  this  point  in  her  reflections  Gwendolen  en- 
tered the  breakfast-room,  looking  more  fresh  and 


68  A  MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

attractive  than  ever  in  her  pale  violet  morning- 
dress.  Her  pretty  head,  with  its  chestnut-colored 
tresses,  shone  in  the  morning  sun,  the  charm  of 
perfect  health  and  unclouded  youth  adding  light 
to  her  eyes  and  witchery  to  her  parted  red  lips. 
She  stooped  as  usual  to  kiss  her  aunt,  saying,  as 
she  glanced  at  the  letter  lying  in  her  open  hand, 
^'  Ah  !  a  letter  from  Godfrey.  Dear  old  boy ! 
Any  news  ?  ^^ 

Lady  Galbraith  hesitated.  There  was  news,  but 
she  preferred  to  confine  herself  in  its  recital  to  the 
more  incidental  parts  of  the  letter. 

''  Yes,^^  she  replied.  ''  I  am  quite  anxious  about 
Godfrey.  He  has  recently  met  with  an  accident 
in  one  of  the  extraordinary  storms  that  the  West- 
ern States  of  America  seem  to  possess  the  exclusive 
secret  of  producing.  Hovr  a  man  could  have  bro- 
ken his  leg  by  simply  having  the  wind  blow  upon 
him  passes  my  penetration  ;  nevertheless,  it  is  so  ; 
and  the  most  vexatious  part  of  the  whole  affair  is 
that  he  has  been  lying,  a  burden  to  himself  and 
others,  in  some  sort  of  a  farmhouse,  the  guest  of 
strangers.  It  is  truly  annoying.  He  seems  quite 
helpless,  and  does  not  even  speak  of  returning  to 
his  own  estate.  ]^o  good  will  ever  come  from  this 
mad  democratic  fancy  of  his  for  making  money. 
The  Alleynes  have  never  made  money.  They  have 
never  been  in  business  of  any  kind,  I  am  happy  to 
say ;  and  why  should  not  Godfrey,  if  he  must  do 
something,  remain  content  with  the  service  or  the 
Church,  as  his  ancestors  have  done  before  him  ?  '' 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  69 

^^All  this  sort  of  thing  is  so  diiferent  now, 
aunty  dear/^  said  Gwendolen,  helping  herself  with 
healthy  appetite  to  a  second  kidney  a  la  creme. 
^^  Business  isn^t  looked  upon  in  the  same  light  as 
in  former  days.  A  man  rather  rises  than  falls  in 
popular  estimation  if  it  is  known  that  he  has 
brains  enough  to  produce  as  well  as  consume. 
There  are  lots  of  younger  sons,  and  even  men  who 
are  the  heads  of  old  families,  who  would  be  glad 
enough  to  have  Godfrey^s  chances.  Don't  fret 
over  his  letter,  dear, ''  she  said,  giving  her  aunt 
another  kiss.  ^^  I  have  no  doubt  he  is  all  right  by 
this  time.  After  roughing  it  a  little  longer  he  will 
return  and  appreciate  us  all  the  more.'' 

She  passed  out  from  the  breakfast-room  into 
the  conservatory  lying  beyond.  Graceful,  well 
formed,  exquisitely  tinted,  she  presented  an  at- 
tractive type  of  beautiful  womanhood.  Her  aunt's 
eyes  followed  her  lingeringly,  lovingly — ^^  almost 
with  a  mother's  fond  pride,"  as  she  once  had  said 
to  Godfrey.  Since  her  childhood,  when  Gwen- 
dolen had  been  left  motherless,  she  had  been  her 
inseparable  companion.  There  had  never  been  a 
time  when  the  union  of  her  niece  with  her  favorite 
son  had  not  been  the  cherished  wish  of  her  heart. 

Tears  rose  to  her  eyes  as  they  followed  Gwen- 
dolen among  the  flowers.  Was  this  to  be  the  end 
of  her  hopes,  her  plans,  her  prayers  ?  Would  she 
live  to  see  the  day  when,  wooed  by  some  stranger, 
Gwendolen  would  pass  from  her  home  and  assume 
the  interests  of  a  different  house  ? 


70  A   MAK'S   COKSCIEI^CE. 

Would  she  lose  this  dear  girl  from  the  place  she 
filled  as  a  loved  daughter,  and  in  her  stead  find  an 
uncongenial,  possibly  illiterate,  wholly  unconven- 
tional product  of  an  unknown  soil — a  farmer's 
daughter?  A  girl  such  as  Margaret  might  have 
been  before  her  training  as  a  lady's  maid,  only 
without  the  refining  traditions  of  an  old  family 
that  weave  their  influence  about  even  the  humblest 
dweller  on  an  ancient  estate.  Lady  Galbraith  dashed 
the  tears  from  her  eyes  ;  the  thought  was  mon- 
strous, impossible  !  Something  must  be  done  ;  but 
that  something  must  be  the  result  of  tact  and  dis- 
cretion. She  appreciated  a  certain  resemblance  to 
her  own  temperament  in  her  son's  independent 
nature.  She  felt  that  open  opposition  on  her  part 
might  prove  the  very  means  she  dreaded  most  of 
precipitating  this  hateful  alliance. 

She  rose  heavily  and  went  up-stairs  to  her  own 
sunny  boudoir.  She  had  need  of  being  alone. 
For  the  first  time  she  felt  the  weight  of  her  ad- 
vancing years,  and  withal  that  reluctance  to  en- 
counter the  unpleasant  side  of  life  that  increases 
as  experience  lessens  the  vigor  of  hope.  She  moved 
through  her  room  slowly,  but  at  the  same  time 
taking  note  of  every  minute  detail.  She  laid  her 
hand  upon  a  newspaper  lying  near,  and  glanced 
almost  involuntarily  at  the  column  of  shipping 
intelligence.  Her  resolution  was  formed,  but  she 
needed  the  confirmation  of  practical  detail  to  bring 
her  intention  clearly  before  her.  Ships  were  leav- 
ing almost  every  day,  she  saw,  by  the  list.     It  was 


A   MAiq^'S   COKSCIEKCE.  71 

a  fearful  journey.  She  shuddered  as  she  thought 
of  all  its  inconveniences  and  perils,  but  she  did 
not  falter  in  her  decision. 

She  must  see  her  son,  show  him  the  disadvan- 
tages of  his  position,  and  win  him  from  all  thought 
of  this  marriage  so  beneath  him.  If  it  were  neces- 
sary she  must  even  encounter  this  siren  of  his  in- 
fatuation, and  exact  from  her  a  repeal  of  whatever 
unfortunate  understanding  might  already  exist 
between  them. 

There  must  be  some  sense  of  honor  even  among 
the  uncultured  inhabitants  of  that  rough  country. 
Even  a  savage  Indian,  she  thought,  would  not  fail 
to  feel  the  force  of  her  argument  could  she  but  ap- 
peal in  person  to  his  latent  generosity.  She  called 
her  maid,  and  announced  her  intention  of  sailing 
by  the  first  Cunard  steamer  leaving  Liverpool. 
There  was  no  time  to  be  lost. 

By  tea-time  that  evening  Lady  Galbraith^s  ar- 
rangements were  practically  completed.  As  she 
sat  with  Gwendolen  over  the  bright  fire  in  the 
half-light  of  gathering  twilight,  she  decided  that 
this  was  a  fitting  time  to  confide  her  plan  to  her 
niece. 

''  0,  aunty  V' — Gwendolen's  voice  held  every 
tone  of  amaze  and  incredulity — *^  what  an  under- 
taking, and  for  you  alone  !  Couldn't  you  give  it 
up  ?  Godfrey  can't  really  be  very  ill,  you  know, 
with  only  one  leg  broken.  It's  not  a  thing  to  be 
anxious  about,  although,  of  course,  an  awful  fag 
for  him,  poor  boy  !     Think  of  the  sea  at  this  time 


72  A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE. 

of  year,  with  the  pitching  and  tossing  and  the  sick- 
ness :  ugh !  I  wonder  how  you  can  contemplate 
such  a  voyage  !  Cold  chills  run  down  my  back 
with  the  very  thought ;  and  besides,  dear,  haven^t 
you  always  said  that  nothing  would  induce  you  to 
cross  the  ocean,  and  that  America  was  of  all  places 
the  least  worth  visiting,  and  that  Americans  were 
forward  and  bold,  and  spoke  a  tongue  you  could 
scarcely  understand,  and  that  the  great  American 
beauties  who  have  married  so  well  over  here  were 
no  prettier  than  we  English  girls,  and  that  you 
even  do  not  approve  of  international  marriages  ? '' 
^^]S"o,  I  do  not,,  most  decidedly.  I  do  not  ap- 
prove of  our  young  men^s  discontent  with  the  life  to 
which  they  are  born.  It  is  all  a  part  of  this  level- 
ing democratic  spirit  of  the  age.  It  creeps  into 
the  upper  strata  of  society,  and  undermines  in- 
herited tastes  as  surely  as  it  lays  a  hand  on  the 
lower  orders  and  engenders  discontent  with  what- 
ever station  in  life  it  has  pleased  Providence  to 
place  them  in.  It  was  not  so  in  my  younger  days,^^ 
resorting  to  the  infallible  argument  of  middle  age. 
^^  Then,  if  a  young  man  were  born  to  fortune,  or 
by  happy  chance  loved  some  one  in  his  own  rank 
who  endowed  him  with  one,  he  married  and,  as  a 
rule,  lived  happy  ever  afterwards,  as  the  fairy- 
tales say.  But  if  the  family  inheritance  was 
limited,  and  but  small  portions  fell  to  the  younger 
sons,  they  submitted  without  all  this  talk  of  bet- 
tering their  fortunes,  making  money,  taking  care 
of  themselves,  and  all  the   discontented   phrases 


A   MAK'S  COKSCIEJS^CE.  73 

born  of  our  advanced  age.  ISTo  ;  there  is  nothing 
I  deprecate  so  much  in  Godfrey  as  this  very  spirit 
of  equality  and  the  lauding  of  what  he  is  pleased 
to  term  Eepublican  principles.  Bah  !  it  is  quite 
maddening.     ISTo  one  can  tell  where  it  will  end.^^ 

Gwendolen,  excited  by  the  prospect  of  what  this 
change  suggested,  returned  to  the  practical. 
Might  she  not  accompany  her  aunt  ?  Would  it 
not  be  best  for  her  to  share  the  perils  of  such  a 
voyage  and  the  subsequent  hardships  ? 

Lady  Galbraith  returned  a  reluctant  denial. 

This  was  not  a  part  of  her  project.  She  had 
decided  to  surprise  Godfrey  with  her  presence, 
giving  him  no  time  to  prepare  a  fortress  of  argu- 
ment. She  wished,  by  the  sudden  contrast  of 
her  own  personality,  to  show  him  the  utter  want 
of  refinement  in  the  persons  he  had  turned  to  in 
his  loneliness  and  suffering.  She  must  in  no  way 
prepare  him  for  her  visit,  lest  he  should  foresee 
the  object  of  it  and  meet  her  forearmed ;  neither 
must  she  weaken  the  effect  of  this  coup  she  v/as 
preparing  by  pressing  upon  him  at  once  the  desir- 
ability of  a  marriage  with  Gwendolen. 

Lady  Galbraith^'s  knowledge  concerning  the 
physical  features  of  that  part  of  the  earth^s  surface 
she  now  proposed  to  visit  may  have  been  somewhat 
indefinite,  but  her  reading  of  human  nature  told 
her  that  there  as  well  as  here  one  must  trust  some- 
times to  manoeuvring,  even  strategy  perchance,  to 
accomplish  a  victory.  She  would  face  the  terrors 
of   a  voyage   at  an  inclement    season  alone  with 


74  A  MAK'S  COKSCIEJS'CE, 

her  maid ;  she  would  undertake  a  long  journey 
among  strangers  in  a  land  of  which  she  had  but  the 
vaguest  knowledge  ;  she  would  expose  herself  to  a 
life  that  included  for  her  all  the  elements  of  dis- 
comfort ;  she  would  run  the  risk  of  receiving  but 
a  reluctant  welcome  by  an  inopportune  appearance 
if  she  could  but  save  her  son  from  this  threatened 
fatal  mistake,  if  she  could  but  convince  him  of  the 
absolute  enormity  of  this  disloyalty  to  his  name. 

She  smoothed  the  delicate  lace  of  her  cap  with 
her  long  patrician  fingers,  but  there  was  decision 
in  each  separate  touch  with  which  she  adjusted  its 
soft  folds.  ^'Iso,  my  dear/''  she  replied  at  length  ; 
^^  I  shall  go  alone.  It  is  not  advisable  to  expose 
any  one  but  myself  to  the  horrors  of  that  wild 
country.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  there  will  be  no 
encounters  with  the  natives  on  the  way  thither. 
I  have  heard,  my  dear,  that  they  rush  upon  rail- 
way-trains with  loaded  revolvers  and  demand  of 
the  passengers  their  money  or  their  lives ;  tliat 
they  make  no  exception  in  favor  of  ladies,  but 
actually  take  their  jewels  and  their  watches.  0, 
it  is  too  shocking  !  I  shall  carry  mine  in  a  belt 
under  my  stays,  my  dear,  and  at  least  liave  the  sat- 
isfaction of  selling  my  life  dearly."'' 

As  Gwendolen  could  not  but  picture  the  incon- 
venience of  having  one^s  watch  so  securely  con- 
cealed, she  ventured  to  hope  that  the  desperadoes 
would  overlook  her  aunt^  even  if  worn  in  the 
customary  way.  But  Lady  Galbraith  had  de- 
termined to  enrich  as  slightly  as  possible  any  band 


A  MAK'S  COKSCIENCE.  75 

of  the  desperate  kind  she  described,  and  finally 
decided  to  leave  all  but  the  most  necessary  articles 
of  apparel  at  home. 

She  then  explained  that  she  had  made  arrange- 
ments for  Gwendolen  to  spend  the  time  of  her  ab- 
sence with  the  younger  Lady  Galbraith,  adding 
that  Lilian  would  then  have  her  solitude  enlivened 
during  the  absence  of  her  husband  on  his  pro- 
longed tour.  She  also  developed  a  plan  she  had 
in  embryo,  which  was  that  if  Herbert  decided  to 
make  the  entire  circuit  of  the  globe,  as  he  had 
some  intention  of  doing,  why  should  not  Gwen- 
dolen accompany  Lilian  as  far  as  New  York  to 
meet  him  ?  They  all  could  then  return  happily 
home  together. 

After  this  the  days  were  busy  with  final  arrange- 
ments and  instructions.  The  time  flew  past  until 
one  day  early  in  l^ovember,  when  Gwendolen, 
with  Percy,  one  of  Lady  Galbraith^s  younger  sons, 
waved  a  final  adieu  to  the  tearful  woman  standing 
on  the  upper  deck  of  a  westward-bound  steamer. 
As  the  familiar  faces  of  them  both  grew  dim  in  the 
fast  increasing  distance.  Lady  Galbraith  questioned 
herself  as  to  the  wisdom  of  this  proposed  adventure 
in  the  New  World. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

This  has  been  an  open  winter  in  Minnesota. 
Very  little  snow  had  fallen  by  the  middle  of  De- 
cember^ although  there  had  been  continuous  rain. 
The  roads  were  almost  impassable  by  reason  of  the 
mud.  Every  one  was  longing  for  a  hard  frost ; 
every  one  was  prophesying  all  kinds  of  ills  if  win- 
ter weather  did  not  set  in  soon.  A  stop  had  been 
put  to  most  of  the  sport  and  some  of  the  more 
practical  occupations  of  the  season.  There  was 
little  or  no  hunting ;  shooting  was  impossible  with- 
out the  strong  crust  of  the  snow  to  bear  up  the 
sleighs.  AYood  could  not  be  stored  ;  ice  did  not 
form  on  the  lakes  that  furnished  the  supply  for  the 
hot  summer.  There  could  be  no  sleighing  parties, 
no  ^*  donations/^  no  gatherings  of  any  social  na- 
ture in  the  neighborhood,  as  each  family  found  it- 
self practically  house-bound  by  the  soft  impassable 
roads.  It  was  a  time  of  tiresome  inaction.  God- 
frey found  the  time  dragging  more  heavily  than 
ever  before. 

He  had  managed  to  reach  Sandy^s  farm  but 
few  times  since  his  return  to  his  own  domain. 
His  accident  had  rendered  the  long  and  now  weari- 
some ride  no  easy  undertaking.     The  irritability 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  77 

consequent  upon  enforced,  idleness  was  beginning 
to  tell  upon  him  in  many  ways. 

His  limited  stock  of  books  had  given  out,  so 
that  he  was  reduced  to  the  repeated  re-reading  of 
most  of  those  he  possessed.  Newspapers,  when  he 
was  able  to  obtain  them  from  the  Cross  Eoads, 
were  so  old  as  to  appear  in  the  light  of  ancient  his- 
tory. To  crown  all,  he  seemed  forgotten  by  his 
friends  in  England.  He  received  no  letters  from 
them,  and  this  seemed  the  stranger  as  his  last 
communication  to  his  mother  was  of  a  nature, 
he  thought,  to  call  forth  a  reply.  He  had  not,  he 
confessed,  felt  confident  of  her  immediate  cordial 
assent  to  his  proposed  marriage  with  Millicent ; 
but  he  certainly  had  expected  an  acknowledgment 
of  the  announcement. 

He  understood  his  mother's  conservative  views 
too  well  to  expect  from  her  a  glad  welcome  to  this 
daughter  of  a  distant  and  unknown  land,  and  of  a 
people  whom  she  willingly  misunderstood.  God- 
frey did  not  realize  all  that  his  mother^s  prejudice 
might  imply,  nor  had  he  but  a  faint  idea  of  the 
strength  of  that  inborn  pride  that  would  dare  all 
things  to  save  him  from  what  she  deemed  a  mis- 
alliance. At  all  events,  six  weeks  had  elapsed 
since  his  .letter  was  posted  to  her,  and  as  yet  no 
answer  had  been  received. 

It  was,  too,  more  than  a  fortnight  since  he  had 
seen  Milly.  His  last  journey  to  Sandy's  had  been 
fraught  with  so  many  unmistakable  signs  of  suffer- 
ing that  she,  with  quick  intuition,  perceived  the 


78  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

danger  lie  incurred  of  retarding  his  ultimate 
recovery.  In  parting  she  had  exacted  a  promise 
from  him  of  absolute  rest  from  the  saddle  as  the 
best  prescription  that  love  could  dictate.  Godfrey- 
had  yielded  to  her  wish,  but  chafed  under  the  con- 
finement ;  still  more  than  that  he  could  not  escape 
unwelcome  idleness.  Whatever  diversion  he  could 
find  in  work  about  the  house  or  premises  he 
eagerly  embraced.  He  wrote  to  Milly  that  he  had 
become  an  accomplished  blacksmith,  and  could 
now  shoe  a  horse  with  as  much  skill  as  any  smith. 
He  invented  various  improvements  for  the  house, 
and  occupied  himself  with  all  manner  of  amateur 
trades.  He  set  up  his  camera,  and  photographed 
everything  within  range  of  its  lens.  He  developed 
plates  and  made  sketches  and  otherwise  allowed 
his  fancy  full  play  in  his  endeavor  to  kill  time. 
But,  in  spite  of  all,  the  days  passed  slowly. 

One  evening  he  sat  alone  in  his  large  square  sit- 
ting-room, w^liich  presented  an  odd  medley  of 
bachelor  resources.  He  was  idly  sketching  innu- 
merable portraits  of  Milly  in  different  phases  and 
attitudes  that  recurred  to  his  memory. 

A  bright  laughing  face  looked  out  from  under  a 
flower-decked  hat ;  a  half -turned  shy  young  dam- 
sel cast  down  her  sweet  eyes  lest  they  should  be- 
tray the  story  written  therein  ;  a  profile  with  full 
childish  outline  and  piquant  arched  brows  re- 
minded him  of  that  day  in  June  when  he  had  first 
seen  her  lovely  face  ;  anxious  eyes  were  raised  as 
she  stood,  with  hands  in  his,  imploring  him  by  his 


"J3c  stopped  with  his  pencil  mspended,  listening  to  the  umtsiial 
sound  of  horses  on  the  roady 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  79 

love  for  her  to  ride  away,  and  not  return  until  she 
could  welcome  him  perfectly  restored.  Godfrey 
smiled  as  he  sketched  :  these  portraits  brought 
her  so  vividly  before  him.  It  was,  in  truth,  his 
nightly  occupation.  As  his  fingers  held  the  pen: 
cil  he  could  recall  even  the  sound  of  her  voice,  the 
now  familiar  accent  with  which  she  emphasized 
and  seemed  to  give  new  meaning  to  the  few  words 
she  spoke.  Godfrey  loved  to  dwell  upon  each  re- 
membered image.  There  was  a  suggestion  of  her 
simple  beauty  and  unaffected  charm  in  the  out- 
lined drawings,  unskilful  though  they  were. 

To-night  he  had  gone  so  far  in  this  pictorial 
retrospect  as  to  depict  Milly  in  every  scene  he  could 
recall,  w^hen  the  pleasant  communing  met  with  an 
unexpected  interruption.  He  stopped  with  his 
pencil  suspended,  listening  to  the  unusual  sound 
of  horses  on  the  road.  Soon  the  labored  approach 
of  wagon-wheels  was  distinctly  audible  in  the  silent 
night.  Godfrey  hastened  out  into  the  covered 
porch  to  welcome  his  unexpected  visitor.  It  was 
not  often  one  arrived  who  came  in  the  dignity  of 
carriage  and  pair. 

The  wagon  was  a  light  covered  affair,  with 
straight  glazed  curtains  that  could  be  let  down  and 
buttoned  closely  at  the  sides,  protecting  and  hid- 
ing from  view  whoever  occupied  the  back  seat. 
The  driver  sat  in  front,  unconcealed  by  the  cur- 
tains, and  in  him  Godfrey  recognized  the  youth 
who  had  driven  him  from  the  distant  railway- 
station  some  months  previously.     Coming  out  from 


80  A   MAK'S   CONSCIEi^CE. 

the  open  doorway  as  the  wagon  drew  up,  he  heard 
a  voice  strangely  familiar  but  for  the  moment  un- 
recognized, asking  : 

^^Ilave  we  arrived  at  last,  I  wonder?  For 
heaven^s  sake,  young  man,  let  me  out  of  this 
strangely  constructed  carriage  !  It  closely  resem- 
bles a  bread-tray  on  wheels  for  comfort,  while  its 
black  enclosed  sides  make  one  think  of  one's  last 
journey/^ 

Godfrey  thought  he  must  be  dreaming.  How 
could  his  mother's  voice  reach  him  from  out  that 
curtained  vehicle  ?  ^^  My  dear  mother  ! ''  he  began, 
busying  himself  with  confused  fingers  in  unfasten- 
ing the  buttoned  curtains,  scarcely  knowing  wheth- 
er he  expected  to  see  his  mother  revealed  behind 
them,  or  awake  and  find  that  he  had  been  dream- 
ing. 

^^  Yes,  dear  Godfrey  ;  at  great  personal  risk  and 
much  inconvenience  I  have  ventured  on  this  peril- 
ous journey.  Ah !  my  dear  boy,  my  dear  son,^^ 
she  exclaimed,  when,  having  at  last  been  helped 
to  her  feet,  she  stood  in  the  porch  with  Godfrey's 
arm  around  her.  ^^  It  is  nothing  now  that  I  see 
you,  now  that  I  am  here  !  A  mother  would  en- 
counter many  dangers  for  such  a  moment !  But, 
my  dear  Godfrey,  do  you  think  the  peculiar 
methods  of  posting  in  this  country  quite  safe  ?  I 
assure  you  that  more  than  once  I  entirely  despaired 
of  our  lives.  On  one  occasion  the  traces  quite  gave 
way,  that  rather  forward  young  man  informed  me, 
and  we  were  nearly    precipitated  into   the  bog 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  81 

through  which  we  have  been  continuously  travel- 
ling since  we  left  the  railway.  Once  we  were  stuck 
for  some  hours  in  its  depth,  and  unable  to  extricate 
our  horses  or  the  vehicle  ;  except  for  the  timely 
arrival  of  some  curiously  equipped  horseman,  we 
might  even  now  be  sitting  there  awaiting  assist- 
ance/^ 

Godfrey  had  led  his  mother  in  before  the  com- 
fortable fire,  and  with  Margaret's  aid  was  disrob- 
ing her  of  some  of  the  many  wraps  with  which  she 
was  completely  enveloped.  She  evidently  had  pre- 
pared herself  to  resist  any  encroachment  of  arctic 
temperature  she  might  encounter  on  the  way. 

Finally  the  last  tippet  was  unfastened  and  the 
last  shawl  unwound.  Godfrey  stooped  and  kissed 
his  mother  affectionately.  "  Welcome  to  my  West- 
ern home,  dear  mother  !  Who  could  have  thought 
of  your  venturing  so  far  to  visit  me?  a  well- 
planned  surprise  indeed  ! ''  But  some  instinct  of 
hospitality  told  him  that  the  pleasure  of  her  ar- 
rival would  not  be  enhanced  by  any  reference  to 
his  present  interests.  Hastily  gathering  up  the 
little  sketches  with  which  his  table  was  strewn, 
he  thrust  them  out  of  sight  in  a  convenient  drawer. 

The  monotony  which  had  proved  so  depressing 
had  at  last  received  a  signal  variation,  but  the  com- 
plications arising  by  reason  of  his  mother's  actual 
presence  in  the  house  were  not  without  serious 
drawbacks,  Godfrey  was  obliged  to  own.  An 
establishment  comfortable  enough  for  a  bachelor 
living  alone  certainly  did  not  answer  the  require- 


82  A  MAIL'S   COKSCIENCE. 

ments  of  a  woman  accustomed  to  all  the  comforts 
and  elegancies  of  a  well-appointed  English  home. 

Lady  Galbraith  made  no  complaint  of  the  incon- 
veniences. She  knew  that  to  accomplish  the  ob- 
ject of  her  visit  she  must  remain.  A  pleasant 
acquiescence  in  all  that  she  encountered  would 
alone  prevent  her  son  from  carrying  her  off  to 
some  city  further  east,  where  she  might  enjoy  the 
luxuries  to  which  she  had  been  accustomed.  But 
this  would  not  answer  her  purpose.  She  wished 
to  surround  Godfrey  with  the  influence  of  old  asso- 
ciations, to  carry  his  mind  back  to  the  pleasures 
and  attraction  of  his  former  home  ;  to  dwell  upon 
the  ease  of  taking  up  the  old  life  again  which 
waited  his  return,  so  to  speak,  with  open  arms  ; 
to  show  by  contrast  the  barrenness,  the  discom- 
fort, the  uncongenial  atmosphere  of  his  present 
existence.  Then  she  would  appeal  to  him  to 
throw  off  this  entangling  liaison  he  had  been  be- 
trayed into,  and  to  abandon  for  ever  all  idea  of 
throwing  in  his  fortunes  with  this  land  of  unpleas- 
ant experiences. 

There  was  a  last  resource  to  which  she  might  be 
driven,  but  for  her  own  sake  she  hoped  to  be  spared 
so  thankless  a  task.  AVere  it  necessary,  however, 
she  should  appeal  to  this  girl  herself,  and  ask  the 
release  of  her  song's  word  had  the  unfortunate 
affair  reached  the  point  of  actual  betrothal.  She 
hoped  this  would  not  be  a  part  of  her  self-imposed 
duty  ;  she  became  quite  nervous  thinking  about  it. 

The  Christmas  season  was  approaching.     Lady 


A   MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE.  83 

Galbraith  had  in  some  degree  become  accustomed 
to  the  many  drawbacks  of  her  son^s  new  home  ;  at 
first  she  found  it  difficult  to  resign  herself  to  the 
many  daily  denials.  The  idea  of  sending  but  once 
a  week  to  procure  one^s  letters  seemed  to  her  a 
depth  of  barbarism  only  experienced  by  the  in- 
habitants of  Central  Africa.  To  have  no  chemist 
conveniently  near  to  answer  all  sorts  of  imaginary 
requirements  ;  to  find  no  doctor  within  a  radius  of 
twenty  miles  ;  to  be  robbed  of  the  privileges  of  the 
Church,  and  the  diversion  of  social  intercourse, 
were  all  to  Lady  Galbraith  real  and  vital  depriva- 
tions. Yet  she  dwelt  but  little  on  any  of  these  sub- 
jects, unless  it  were  to  indicate  how  thoroughly 
Godfrey,  as  well  as  she,  would  enjoy  his  return  to 
civilization  again. 

One  day,  after  some  reflections  of  this  kind,  God- 
frey answered  pleasantly  :  ^^That  is  all  very  well 
for  you,  dear  mother,  who  may  return  at  will  to 
the  enjoyment  of  all  you  have  left  behind,  but  you 
know  I  have  no  such  prospect.  My  lot  is  cast  in 
quite  a  different  world,  and  I  must  conform  to  its 
requirements.  I  do  not  look  upon  my  life  here  as 
one  of  hardship,  though  it  certainly  includes  a  fair 
amount  of  sacrifice.  There  is  much  to  be  accom- 
plished, much  to  be  enjoyed,  and  I  have  no  thought 
of  giving  it  up.^^ 

Lady  Galbraith^s  lips  tightened  a  little,  but  she 
said  pleasantly  :  '^  That  is  quite  a  natural  feeling. 
Youth  is  full  of  hope,  and  looks  forward  to  con- 
quering happiness,  not  courting  it.     Your  experi- 


84  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

ence  does  not  differ  probably  from  that  of  other 
young  men,  only  all  have  not  so  much  to  lose  by 
marring  their  lives  as  you  have  to  gain  by  accept- 
ing it  at  the  best.  You  naturally  wish  to  try  your 
wings  a  little  away  from  the  old  nest,  and  you 
have,  I  own,  shown  wonderful  self-reliance,  and 
met  with  encouraging  success.  You  seem  already 
to  grasp  the  principles  of  this  new  business,  and 
to  command  a  respect  from  the  men  you  have 
about  you  that  is  certainly  gratifying.  But  this 
same  energy  employed  elsewhere  would  meet  with 
an  equal  reward.  It  is  not  necessary  to  be  buried  to 
show  that  one  is  still  alive.  No  ;  I  naturally  look 
to  my  sons  to  remember  their  birth  and  social 
standing,  as  well  as  to  gratify  their  mere  personal 
ambitions ;  to  this  end  they  must  live  the  lives 
their  fathers  have  before  them,  and  marry  in  the 
rank  to  which  they  are  born."' 

Godfrey  winced.  This  was  the  first  time  that 
his  mother  had  referred  even  by  implication  to  the 
subject  of  his  marriage  ;  he  felt  instinctively  what 
would  be  the  task  before  him  of  reconciling  her 
to  his  determination.  He  scarcely  liked  to  in- 
flict the  pain  he  knew  his  words  would  convey, 
yet  disloyalty  to  Milly  would  be  implied  in  his 
silence. 

''Surely  a  man  is  the  best  judge  of  what  would 
constitute  a  happy  marriage  for  himself,  ^^  he  be- 
gan ;  ''the  choice  cannot  be  made  by  another,  or 
taken  out  of  his  own  hands.  Love  is  not  a  bidden 
guest,  however  welcome.     You  surely  would  not 


A  MAK'S   CONSCIEibrCE.  85 

deny  your  son  the  right  to  marry  the  woman  he 
loves/^ 

^  ^  There  are  many  phases  of  love,  and  what  ap- 
pears as  such  often  is  but  the  result  of  circum- 
stance, propinquity,  the  want  of  other  choice,  or  the 
result  of  gratitude  ;  there  is  no  sentiment  which 
compares  with  it  for  mistaken  identity,  but  none 
of  these  conditions  claim  the  essential  trait  which 
should  govern  the  choice  of  a  wife — suitability/^ 

^^  You  will  permit  me  to  speak  directly  of  this 
subject  as  it  concerns  Milly  and  myself,^'  said 
Godfrey,  coming  to  the  point.  ^^I  do  not  recog- 
nize any  analysis  that  would  define  my  feelings 
towards  her,  nor  do  I  seek  to  reduce  them  to 
words ;  all  I  know  is  that  she  is  in  herself  ador- 
able, that  I  love  her,  and  that  I  hope  to  make  her 
my  wife.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  define  her  attrac- 
tions ;  one  might  as  well  try  to  add  beauty  to  a 
drifting  rose-tinted  cloud  by  attempting  to  im- 
prison it  upon  canvas  !  Milly  is  what  she  is,  pure 
like  snow  which  has  never  been  sullied,  natural 
like  the  flowers  we  gather  in  cool  dells,  and  can 
scarcely  name  for  their  rarity.  Even  you,  when 
you  see  her,  mother,  wjll  be  won  by  her  charm  and 
receive  her  as  a  daughter  for  my  sake/^ 

^^JSTever  V  The  one  word  was  uttered  between 
compressed  lips.  ^MVelcome  a  girl  as  a  daughter 
whose  father  works  like  his  own  hired  servants, 
and  is  as  ignorant  and  uncultivated  as  one  of 
them  !  Take  to  my  heart  as  my  son^s  wife  this 
girl,  whose  ideas  of  refined  existence  have  been 


86  A  MAK'S  COKSCIENCE. 

gathered  in  the  unfinished^  crude^  money-getting 
cities  through  which  I  passed  on  my  way  hither  ! 
A  girl  with  a  peach-blossom  complexion  that  has 
won  your  fancy,  doubtless,  where  the  general  tint 
of  the  feminine  skin  seems  to  hold  a  notable  ad- 
mixture of  saifron  !  A  girl  who  by  contrast  with 
her  kind  in  this  out-of-the-way  corner  of  the  earth 
appears  indeed  like  a  rare  flower.  But  transplant 
her,  place  her  amid  the  beautiful  exotics  of  our 
own  sphere — take  her  home  and  introduce  her  as 
your  wife  to  the  society  of  which  you  are  a  mem- 
ber— would  not  your  flower  of  the  prairie  grow 
dull  in  tint,  coarse  in  texture,  and  lose  all  that 
charm  of  delicacy  and  attraction  you  now  so  poet- 
ically ascribe  to  her  ?  It  cannot  be  possible  that  a 
son  of  mine  would  persist  in  a  union  so  foreign  to 
his  nature,  so  opposed  to  all  family  traditions,  so 
obnoxious  to  his  mother,  and  so  degrading  to  him- 
self !^^ 

Lady  Galbraith  had  not  intended  this  perora- 
tion, but,  led  by  the  exigency  of  her  son's  position, 
she  forgot  her  usual  calm  dignity.  She  felt  as  a 
mother  might  who  sees  her  child  courting  danger 
and  snatches  him  against  his  will  from  harm. 

Godfrey  feared  the  result  of  further  argument 
at  the  moment,  and  wisely  refrained  from  dwelling 
at  greater  length  on  Millicent\s  qualities  or  charms. 
He  must  wait  a  little  longer  for  some  happy  acci- 
dent to  throw  them  together,  and  to  win  his 
mother  in  spite  of  all  prejudice  to  a  juster  view  of 
their  relations.    The  thought  of  abandoning  Milly 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  87 

or  following  his  mother  back  to  that  life  of  ease 
she  described  never  for  a  moment  occurred  to  him. 
For  a  better  understanding  of  his  aims  he  knew 
he  must  wait ;  for  a  juster  estimate  of  his  ambi- 
tions he  was  willing  to  trust  the  future  ;  and  the 
subject  of  his  marriage,  the  thought  of  all  others 
nearest  to  his  heart,  he  felt  must  be  left  for  the 
present,  in  the  hope  that  chance  would  befriend 
him  in  winning  his  mother  to  an  approval  of  his 
choice. 

Accident  did  shortly  bring  about  what  he  had 
found  difficulty  in  planning. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

At  length  the  snow  fell.  They  awoke  one  morn- 
ing at  Sydney^s  to  find  the  world  transformed.  In 
every  direction,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  a 
dazzling  whiteness  shone.  The  few  trees  about 
the  house  stood  silently  drooping  with  their  weight 
of  snow  ;  but  for  the  most  part  the  landscape 
stretched  away  in  unbroken  level  purity.  The 
short  stubble  of  the  fields  scarcely  penetrated  the 
soft  covering,  for  the  snowfall  had  been  heavy  and 
without  drifts.  The  barns  and  outhouses  had  re- 
ceived a  thick  white  thatch  that  changed  their  un- 
adorned ugliness  into  an  architecture  that  no  man 
can  fashion. 

The  exquisite  glory  of  this  white  world  drew 
from  Lady  Galbraith  her  first  words  of  enthusiasm 
concerning  anything  formed  of  God  or  man  which 
she  had  seen  since  her  arrival.  She  stood  for  a 
time  at  the  window  lost  in  contemplation  of  the 
transformation  ;  presently  she  gave  utterance  to 
the  wish  which  for  some  time  had  hovered  on  her 
lips.  Part  of  the  policy  of  her  visit  was  an  ab- 
solute reticence  in  regard  to  objects  which  sur- 
rounded her  ;  she  never  permitted  herself  any 
j)ositive  admiration  for  anything  outside  her  old- 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  89 

world  life.  Even  now  she  considered  a  negative 
commendation  sufficient. 

^^  AYho  could  believe  this  was  the  same  stretch  of 
gray  ugliness  we  looked  out  upon  last  night  ?  '^  she 
said.  '^  It  is  almost  beautiful^  this  endless  waste 
of  snow  !  One  could  imagine,  if  one's  mind  were 
capable  of  isolation,  that  there  was  nothing  in  all 
the  universe  but  a  snow-clad  earth  and  a  shining 
blue  sky.  It  is  beautiful !  I  almost  wish  I  were 
out  trying  with  swift  horses  to  find  how  far  the 
white  cloak  reaches. ^^ 

Godfrey^s  eyes  shone,  though  his  voice  did  not 
betray  his  anxious  hope. 

^^There^s  nothing  easier,  mater  dear,^^  he  an- 
swered. '^^Come  with  me  in  my  cutter  to  the 
Cross  Eoads  ;  there  is  going  to  be  a  Christmas 
service  in  the  school-room  this  evening,  and  after- 
wards the  families  from  all  the  neighborhood  v/ill 
gather  for  an  hour's  chat,  and  probably  a  little 
music  or  other  diversion.  It  is  called  the  minis- 
ter's donation — something  quite  new  in  your  expe- 
rience, and  I  dare  say  you  will  be  interested  in  a 
scene  so  novel. '^ 

Lady  Galbraith  did  not  respond  to  the  last  part 
of  Godfrey's  invitation,  but  she  answered  pleasantly 
that  she  should  at  least  enjoy  the  sleigh  ride, 
and  that  a  service  of  the  Church,  even  in  a  school- 
room, would  make  one  feel  a  little  less  of  a  heathen 
than  she  had  of  late. 

The  rest  of  the  day  was  spent  by  Godfrey  in 
impatient  anticipation,  for   he   expected  to  find 


90  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

Milly  and  her  father  assembled  with  their  neigh- 
bors to  join  in  the  annual  donation-party.  The 
simple  plan  adopted  by  the  scattered  families  who 
dwelt  within  a  driving  radius  was  to  meet  at  the 
Cross  Roads  on  Christmas  Eve^  bringing  with 
them  whatever  gifts  they  could  spare  for  the  sup- 
port of  their  young  clergyman,  the  Rev.  George 
Boynton. 

The  assortment  of  gifts  thus  collected  was  some- 
times astonishing,  but  the  motive  of  the  donors 
sincere.  These  hard-working  farmers  were  not 
often  well  off  in  money,  but  whatever  produce  could 
be  spared  or  exchanged  for  what  would  best  please 
''^the  parson,"''  as  he  was  called,  was  given  without 
grudging.  The  men  as  a  rule  did  not  often  ap- 
pear in  church,  some  of  them  only  on  this  anni- 
versary occasion  ;  but  they  acknowledged  with  one 
consent  that  the  community  could  not  exist  re- 
spectably without  a  clergyman.  And  moreover, 
^^as  most  wimmen-folks  took  to  religion  nateral,"" 
they  must  provide  a  means  for  observing  its  out- 
ward forms. 

The  present  occasion  was  as  new  to  Godfrey 
as  to  his  mother,  excepting  that  he  had  heard 
the  donation  dwelt  upon  by  his  neighbors  as  the 
best-anticipated  event  of  the  year.  lie  deter- 
mined that  this  time  it  should  be  notable  in  several 
ways. 

The  sun  had  already  set,  though  the  red  after- 
glow lingered  in  the  west,  dyeing  the  earth  with 
its  blood-red  tint,  when  Godfrey,  having  tucked 


A   MAN'S   CO:&TSCIENCE.  91 

his  mother  into  the  narrow  cutter  made  warm  with 
furs,  gathered  up  the  reins  and  started  on  their 
rapid  drive.  The  air  was  keen  and  exhilarating  : 
muffled  in  furs  and  warm  with  foot-stoves,  they 
only  felt  the  tonic  of  the  air  as  they  dashed  on 
over  the  track  already  prepared  for  them. 

They  found  other  sleighs  of  every  variety  and 
construction  filled  with  families  of  various  sizes  and 
ages,  all  converging  towards  the  main  road  that 
led  to  the  village.  The  church  was  in  no  wise 
suggestive  of  its  ecclesiastical  use,  being  no  other 
than  the  village  school-room  fitted  up  to  answer 
as  near  as  possible  the  requirements  of  the  ser- 
vice. 

Desks  had  been  pushed  to  one  side,  and  in 
double  rows  chairs  were  ranged  through  the  cen- 
tre of  the  room.  On  a  raised  platform  at  the  end 
stood  an  improvised  reading-desk,  and  beside  it 
a  harmonium.  The  room  was  already  nearly  full 
when  Godfrey  and  his  mother  arrived,  and  the 
service  about  to  begin.  They  found  two  vacant 
chairs  about  midway  up  the  aisle,  wherein  they 
seated  themselves  and  awaited  the  first  words  of  the 
clergyman.  He  stood  in  his  white  surplice  beside 
the  desk,  with  a  small  hymn-book  open  in  his 
hand.  His  countenance  was  attractive,  holding 
that  look  of  undaunted  youth  and  unselfish  con- 
centration that  can  render  even  ascetic  features 
beautiful.  His  was  a  clean-shaven  face,  with  clear- 
cut  thin  features.  His  dark  hair,  parted  in  the 
centre,  was  tossed  back  in  careless  waves,  which 


92  A    MAN'S   COiq-SCIEJS-CE. 

softened  the  seventy  of  his  brow  and  deep-set 
dark  eyes.  He  waited  for  a  moment  in  silence 
while  the  late-comers  settled  themselves  in  their 
places,  and  then  in  clear  resonant  tones  gave  out 
the  first  lines  of  the  hymn  that  was  to  open  the 
services.     As  he  read  the  familiar  lines, 

Come  hither,  ye  faithful, 
Triumphantly  sing  ! 

a  young  girl  left  her  place  in  the  front  row  of 
worshippers  and  seated  herself  before  the  open  in- 
strument on  the  platform.  She  was  dressed  in 
gray  of  some  soft  warm  material,  and  over  the 
shining  wealth  of  her  blonde  hair  was  fitted  a 
close  sealskin  toque.  Her  eyes  shone  with  the 
unusual  excitement  of  leading  the  singing,  but 
their  long  dark  lashes  veiled  them  modestly.  God- 
frey's heart  gave  a  bound.  Milly  had  never  looked 
so  lovely,  he  thought,  and  now  his  mother  would 
feel  the  charm  of  her  winning  face  and  gentle 
manner,  while  all  her  prejudice  would  vanish. 
Who  could  resist  Milly  ? 

She  played  the  first  bars  of  the  ancient  tune, 
and  then  began  with  her  fresh  girlish  voice  the 
glad  words  of  the  Christmas  hymn. 

Come  hither,  ye  faithful. 
Triumphantly  sing  ! 

The  clergyman  came  and  stood  near,  supporting 
her  clear  soprano  with  his  full  well-trained  bari- 
tone. The  voices  blended,  and  led  in  full  cadence 
the  untutored  rise  and  fall  of  the  congregation's 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  93 

singing.  Lady  Galbraith  found  herself  joining 
with  the  rest,  and  Godfrey  felt  he  had  never  be- 
fore understood  the  tone  of  gladness  in  the  words 
he  sung.  When  the  last  full  notes  died  away 
Lady  Galbraith  leaned  towards  her  son,  and 
whispered  with  some  curiosity, 

''  What  a  lovely  voice  !  Who  is  she  ?'' 
Godfrey  answered  proudly,  '^  Millicent.^^ 
Lady  Galbraith's  voice  was  not  raised  again  during 
the  remaining  hymns,  but  she  could  not  altogether 
refrain  from  mingling  in  the  service,  that  carried 
her  back  to  other  scenes  and  cherished  associa- 
tions. 

The  short  ritual  concluded,  the  congregation 
rose  and  awkwardly  separated  into  groups  of  vary- 
ing numbers.  They  conversed  for  the  most  part 
on  the  weather,  and  other  like  topics  of  absorbing 
mutual  interest.  The  Eev.  George  Boynton  had 
soon  doffed  his  robes,  and  was  eagerly  making  his 
way  from  group  to  group,  endeavoring  with  fitting 
words  to  place  his  curiously  assorted  guests  at  their 
ease.  There  was  a  courtesy  in  his  acknowledgment 
of  the  various  gifts  bestowed  that  was  little  short 
of  Chesterfieldian.  From  the  sack  of  flour  depos- 
ited in  the  corner  of  the  school-room  by  Joshua 
Briggs  to  the  most  hectic  of  antimacassars  em- 
broidered by  Miss  Melissa  Meggs  ;  from  the  keg  of 
molasses  bought  by  Jerry  Walker  in  exchange  for 
several  bags  of  oats,  to  the  highly  decorated  slip- 
pers that  the  younger  ladies  in  his  congregation 
supplied  with  abounding  liberality  :  each  and  all 


94  A   MAWS   CONSCIENCE. 

met  with  a  pleasant  acknowledgment,  and  the  few 
well-chosen  words  that  convey  more  than  simple 
gratitude. 

Lady  Galbraith,  left  alone  to  watch  the  scene, 
found  herself  filled  with  wonder.  It  did  not  repro- 
duce any  that  she  remembered  in  all  her  long 
experience.  There  was  nothing  in  her  memory  of 
school  teas  or  penny  readings  that  suggested  even 
a  faint  resemblance  to  what  she  now  witnessed. 
On  those  occasions  she  had  received  the  homage 
due  to  her  rank  as  the  most  exalted  as  well  as 
bountiful  lady  in  the  parish.  But  here  she  was 
ignored,  except  for  occasional  glances  of  curiosity 
bestowed  by  the  women  upon  her  dress.  She 
began  to  weary  of  her  unimportant  position  and  to 
wonder  where  Godfrey  could  be,  and  why  th^' 
young  clergyman  had  not  begged  the  honor  of  an 
introduction,  when  she  was  accosted  somewhat 
abruptly  by  a  mild-eyed,  gray-haired  old  man  stand- 
ing beside  her. 

^^  Take  a  cha'r,^^  he  said  ;  ^^you  look  purty  well 
tuckered  out,  and  no  wonder !  you  ain^t  no  light 
weight,  1^11  be  bound,  to  stan'  holdin^  yourself  up 
all  thro^  the  perceedin's  ;  ^tain^t  at  an  end  yet,^^  he 
continued  proudly,  as  though  the  resources  of  the 
community  had  been  questioned  by  the  proud- 
faced  woman  he  was  '  addressing.  ^^As  I  was 
a-sayin^  to  Milly — ''  he  began.  Lady  Galbraith's 
expression  changed  from  good-humored  tolerance 
to  one  of  haughty  reserve.  Shades  of  this  sort, 
however,  were  lost  upon  her  companion — ^^asl 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  95 

was  a-sayin',  no  one  would  believe  what  the  Cross 
Koads  can  perduce  by  way  of  musical  talent  and 
the  like  till  they  visits  the  donation  sociable  and 
sees  for  themselves.  Kow  I  haven^t  noticed  you 
here  amongst  us  as  a  reg'lar  thing/'  he  questioned 
adroitly,  regarding  his  listener,  ^^and  I  don^t  jest 
at  this  minnit  recall  your  name  ? '' 

Lady  Galbraith  did  not  avail  herself  of  the 
opportunity  given,  but  replied  merely,  ^^I  am  a 
stranger  here/^ 

^^Do  tell,^'  resumed  Sandy  with  pointed  interest ; 
'^  I  might  ha^  known  as  much.  They  is,  now  I 
come  to  look,  a  kinder  ferrin  air  about  you — a  sort 
of  pick-up-my-skirts  expression  that  we  down-right 
Amur'cans  can  tell  is  ferrin  the  minnit  we  claps 
eyes  on  one  o'  you.  I  don^t  mind  tellin^  you  now 
we^'re  talkin^  together,  out  of  liearin^  and  sorter 
confidential  like,  that  that  young  fellar  over  thar 
next  the  wall  makin^  up  to  my  daughter  had  them 
stand-offish  manners  when  he  fust  come  amongst 
us.  But  sakes  alive  !  he  ain^t  like  that  now  no 
moreen  nuthin^  in  the  world.  When  him  and 
Milly  began  to  keep  company — ''  (Lady  Galbraith 
shuddered.)  ^^ Is  thar  anything  the  matter  with 
you?^"  Sandy  asked  sympathetically;  ^'^you  do 
look  tuckered  out  clean,  I  do  declar' !  ^Tain^t  no 
use  tryin^  to  stan^,  even  braced  up  against  the  wall, 
when  any  one  gits  as  heavy  as  you  be.  Lemme  git 
you  a  cup  of  coffee,  or  suthin^  revivin^  ? ''  he 
asked  kindly.  ^^  I  can  vouch  for  the  coffee — a  No. 
1  XX.     Hanner  browned,  ground,  and   made   it 


96  A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE. 

herself ;  but,  like  as  not,  I  could  get  a  drop  of 
whisky  for  you,  if  you^d  ruther/^ 

^^Ko,  thank  you/^  Lady  Galbraith  answered 
faintly  ;  ^^I  feel  quite  well,  I  require  nothing/^ 

^'  Waal,  that's  right.  No  use  in  stimulants  un- 
less they's  needed ;  but  as  I  was  a-sayin",  it's  all 
manner  :  they  isn't  a  more  gentlemanly,  modester- 
mannered,  better-disposed  young  man  in  the  whole 
community  than  Godfrey  Alleyne,  if  I  do  say  it  as 
hadn't  ought.  Thar  'tis  agen  !  '  I  thought  you 
said  suthin'.  Must  be  the  buzzin'  in  the  room 
makes  them  sounds  in  my  ear.  Waal,  as  I  was 
a-sayin^  when  he  come  to  ask  for  Milly,  I  jest 
said,  ^  Thar  ain't  a  young  f ellar  nowhars  about  I'd 
sooner  see  her  married  to.  You've  got  soft  ways 
and  gentle,  and  I  do  feel  kinder  tender  o'  Milly. 
She's  my  only  child,  and,  havin^  lost  her  mother 
when  she  was  a  baby,  she  and  me  have  kept  kinder 
close  together.^  I  don't  mind  sayin'  I  set  a  awful 
store  by  her.  I  ain't  claimin'  I  al'ays  done  my 
duty  by  her,  nuther.  She  ain't  no  wife  for  a 
farmer,  no  more'n  a  baby.  Hanner's  done  it  all,  and 
she  a'most  as  much  of  a  ninny  about  Milly  as  I  be  : 
won't  let  her  clean  up  or  scrub  or  make  the  bread,  or 
nuthin'.  Hanner's  not  very  smooth  on  the  out- 
side, but  she's  got  a  heart  'most  as  soft  as  velvet." 

Lady  Galbraith  sighed  audibly ;  the  details  of  this 
family  were  growing  irksome.  Why  should  she 
listen  patiently  to  this  illiterate,  uncouth  farmer, 
who  seemed  to  possess  neither  discretion  nor  discern- 
ment?    Would  she  be  oblisred  to  tell  him  that 


A  MAK'S   CONSCIEJS'CE.  97 

reminiscences  of  his  daughter  were  of  no  earthly 
interest  to  her,  and  his  patronage  of  her  son  wholly 
distasteful  ?  She  must  break  away  from  these 
enforced  confidences  somehow.  She  could  no 
longer  breathe  in  the  detestable  proximity  of  Milly^s 
father.  The  position  was  unbearable.  She  must 
either  make  herself  known  to  him,  and  by  the 
simple  statement  shatter  the  possibility  of  the 
alliance  he  referred  to  with  such  complacency,  or 
she  must  escape  from  the  room  before  she  had 
given  utterance  to  words  perhaps  better  left  un- 
said. An  interruption  occurred,  however,  w^hich 
took  Sandy  from  her  side  without  more  than  a 
muttered  ^^  Milly's  goin'  to  sing,^^  by  way  of  excuse. 

Again  the  young  girl  stood  by  the  side  of  the 
harmonium,  where  Mr.  Boynton  had  now  seated 
himself  to  accompany  her. 

She  had  laid  aside  the  sealskin  cap  she  had  previ- 
ously worn,  and,  with  the  mass  of  her  soft  blonde 
hair  curling  low  on  her  brow,  looked  even  younger 
than  her  years.  Lady  Galbraith  began  gathering  up 
her  furs,  preparing  to  move  away,  but  when  the 
full  notes  of  Milly^s  voice  thrilled  through  the 
room  she  could  not  but  remain  a  listener. 

HandeFs  grand  ''  Angels  ever  bright  and  fair  " 
had  possibly  never  held  spellbound  a  more  curious 
or  diverse  assembly  since  first  it  touched  men^s 
hearts.  Lady  Galbraith  had  heard  it  in  many 
places,  sung  by  queens  who  ruled  the  world  by  the 
music  of  their  voices,  but  she  had  never  realized 
its  beauty  as  she  did  now.      The  girl's  unclouded 


98  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

brow,  her  soaring  young  voice,  seemed  to  raise  her 
to  the  level  of  the  realm  of  which  she  sang.  At 
first  she  had  not  dared  to  meet  the  upturned  faces, 
but,  becoming  rapt  in  the  repeated  cadences,  she 
lost  sight  of  all,  and  saw  only  her  lover  standing  in 
the  throng.  The  old  man  just  below  the  harmo- 
nium, with  his  head  half  turned  to  where  his  daugh- 
ter stood ;  Godfrey  erect,  towering  above  the 
people  about  him,  with  clear,  fearless  eyes  behold- 
ing only  the  one  to  whom  his  heart  turned  :  all 
made  a  picture  of  which  only  Lady  Galbraith  felt 
the  power.  Milly^s  listeners,  if  the  truth  were 
told,  were,  for  the  most  part,  greatly  relieved 
when  the  song  ended.  Their  pride  in  her  did  not 
prevent  the  expressed  wish  that  she  would  sing 
something  with  which  they  were  more  familiar, 
'"^  Old  Kentucky  Home"''  or  ^^Eock  me  to  sleep, 
mother, ^^  and  ^^not  them  stuck-up  things  she 
Tarned  at  boarding-school.^' 

The  group  separated  again,  and  Lady  Galbraith 
found  herself  close  to  her  son  and  Milly,  who  had 
stepped  down  from  the  low  platform.  Godfrey 
saw  that  he  had  at  last  the  opportunity  for  which 
he  longed  ;  taking  Milly's  hand  in  his  own,  he  led 
her  forward  a  few  steps  to  where  his  mother 
stood. 

'^  This  is  Millicent  Alistair,  dear  mother  ;  you 
know  her  by  name  already  :  I  hope  you  will  be 
friends.'^  The  healthy  even  color  had  forsaken 
his  face  for  a  moment,  but  his  eyes  had  grown 
darker  and  more  earnest. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  99 

Milly  looked  up  sliyly  with  a  deprecating  little 
smile  hovering  about  her  lips,  and  in  frank  unaf- 
fectedness  held  out  her  hand  to  greet  Godfrey^  s 
mother.  The  elder  woman  looked  at  her  coldly, 
and,  without  responding  to  Milly's  gesture,  ac- 
knowledged with  a  formal  salutation  her  son's 
introduction. 

^'  Good-evening,  Miss  Alistair,''  sounded  to  Milly 
like  words  from  an  unknown  tongue  when  uttered 
in  this  frigid  tone  by  Godfrey's  mother.  But  her 
sense  of  hospitality,  coupled  with  her  desire  to 
please,  conquered  her  shyness  :  she  made  a  timid 
attempt  to  engage  Lady  Galbraith  in  conversation. 

^^I  hope  you  have  enjoyed  the  sociable,"'  she 
began.  ^^  It's  about  the  only  time  the  settlement 
all  gets  together,  and  Mr.  Boynton  says — Mr. 
Boynton  is  our  minister,  you  know — there  can't 
be  any  real  life  in  the  Church  unless  we're  all 
willing  to  pull  together.  He  ought  to  know,  I 
suppose.  He's  a  very  gifted  man  ;  indeed,  too 
good  for  the  Cross  Eoads,  we  often  tell  him.  I 
can't  for  my  part  see  why  souls  are  more  valuable 
in  Minnesota  than  they  were  in  Boston.  His 
preaching  certainly  went  further  there,  for  there 
must  be  more  chances  in  a  big  church  than  out 
here,  where  the  best  we  can  do  is  a  school-room. 
Have  you  introduced  him  ?  "  she  asked,  turning  to 
Godfrey.  ^^  Mr.  Boynton's  travelled ;  he's  been  in 
your  place,"  she  continued,  addressing  Lady  Gal- 
braith.    ^'  He  might  know  some  of  your  people." 

Lady  Galbraith  drcAV  her  furs  about  her.     She 


100  A   MAK'S   COKSCIEJSTCE. 

had  not  the  pleasure  of  Mr.  Boyntoii's  acquaint- 
ance. She  believed  that  many  Americans  trav- 
elled abroad,  probably  for  educational  purposes. 
There  was  much  the  clergy  especially  could  learn 
from  contact  with  the  Mother  Church.  She 
had  observed  several  omissions  in  the  service  she 
could  not  but  deprecate,  and  would  take  pleasure 
in  pointing  out  to  the  Eev.  Mr.  Boynton.  They 
might  be  the  mistakes  of  youth ;  but  at  all  events 
she  must  consider  it  her  duty  to  remind  him  of 
the  danger  he  ran  in  attempting  to  modernize  so 
ancient  a  liturgy. 

The  smile  left  Milly^s  lips.  There  was  almost  a 
quiver  of  disappointment  in  their  mobile  lines. 
She  had  never  imagined  Godfrey^s  mother  could 
be  so  very  formidable  a  person,  and  was  not  pre- 
pared for  her  evident  discontent  with  the  methods 
which  hitherto  had  seemed  natural  enough.  She 
turned  to  the  one  who  she  thought  could  best  un- 
derstand her,  and  mutely  asked  for  his  support. 
Godfrey  answered,  though  addressing  his  mother  : 

^^  The  easiest  way  to  convince  you  of  the  ortho- 
doxy of  the  parson  will  be  to  present  him,  and  let 
him  state  his  own  case.  Will  you  permit  me  ?  Mr. 
Boynton,  I  want  to  introduce  you  to  my  mother. 
Lady  Galbraith."  With  a  look  of  relief  Milly  saw 
her  place  taken.  Placing  her  trembling  hand  on 
Godfrey^s  arm,  she  urged  rather  than  was  led 
by  him  towards  the  open  door. 

The  night  was  brilliant  with  the  light  of  the 
risen  moon.     It  shone  softly  on  the  settlement,  on 


A  MAK'S  oo]s^scie:nce,  101 

the  broad  road^  on  the  straggling  group  of  houses, 
on  the  level  waste  lying  beyond;  the  ugly  buildings 
composing  the  little  hamlet  seemed  less  angular 
and  unattractive  standing  indistinct  and  softened 
by  the  mellow  light. 

Leaving  the  heated  school-room,  with  its  sound 
of  discordant  voices,  the  two  went  out  into  the 
silent  street.  The  houses  showed  few  lights,  as 
all  their  inhabitants,  both  old  and  young,  had 
gathered  in  the  school-room ;  so  that  Milly  and  God- 
frey seemed  alone  in  the  deserted  street.  They 
walked  quite  to  the  end  of  the  scattered  settlement, 
where  a  small  grove  lent  them  shelter,  before 
either  of  them  spoke.  Then,  unclasping  Godfrey^'s 
arm,  Milly,  suddenly  turning,  faced  him.  Her 
cheeks  were  burning,  and  her  eyes  on  fire  with 
pent-up  excitement.  Without  preface,  she  ex- 
claimed passionately  : 

^^  She  does  not  like  me ;  she  never  will.  .  She 
looks  upon  me  with  the  same  contempt  that  she 
does  upon  the  minister  and  the  people  and  the 
service.  Why  did  you  not  tell  me  that  your 
mother  was  like  that — cold  and  proud  and  con- 
temptuous ?  Why  did  you  not  say  she  was  not  one 
bit  like  you,  and  that  she  would  criticise  me,  and 
find  faults  and  flaws  ?  "  She  went  on  hotly  :  '^  Why 
did  you  not  say  she  v/ ould  compare  me  with  all  those 
fine  ladies  you  used  to  know,  and  that  are  about  as 
much  like  us ''  (this  with  a  total  disregard  of  pro- 
nouns) ''  as  butterflies  are  like  grubs  ?  She  wants 
you  for  one  of  them,'^she  added,  with  intuitive 


102  A  MAN'S   CON^SCIEKCE. 

jealousy.  ^^She  does  not  want  you  to  love  me; 
she  does  not  want  you  to  marry  me  ;  she  will  not 
let  you ;  she  will  take  you  away  from  me.  0  God- 
frey, Godfrey !  it  is  dreadful  !  I  wish  I  were 
dead  ! '' 

She  was  sobbing  convulsively,  with  her  hands 
pressed  against  her  face.  Godfrey  tried  to  take 
them  in  his  own,  but  for  the  first  time  they  resisted 
him. 

^^Don%  Milly,  darling;  don't  cry  so/'  he  said 
soothingly.  ^'  You  frighten  me  ;  you  are  nervous 
and  tired.  You  will  not  feel  like  this  to-morrow, 
when  you  have  had  time  to  think.  Pray,  dearest, 
stop  sobbing  for  a  moment  and  let  me  speak  to 

you.- 

His  own  face  looked  white  in  the  pale  twilight, 
but  he  made  a  brave  effort  to  master  his  voice, 
that  Milly  might  not  perceive  his  own  anxiety. 

^^  You  must  not  judge  my  mother  too  hastily, 
dear.  She  is,  perhaps,  unlike  any  one  you  have 
yet  known ;  but  she  has  a  kind  heart.  She  has 
been  a  good  mother,  Milly  ;  her  sons  must  respect 
her.'' 

'^  Yes,  that's  just  it,"  broke  in  Milly,  again 
letting  her  hands  fall  hopelessly :  "  it's  because 
she's  good  and  upright  and  true  that  she  expects 
your  obedience.  She  will  not  listen  even  to  your 
affection;  it  will  be  just  duty — cold,  hard,  relent- 
less duty.  She  will  say  she  is  doing  what  is  best, 
and  that  will  be  reason  enough  for  riding  rough- 
shod over  naked  hearts.     I  am  not  of  that  world. 


A  MAK^S  COKSCIEJiTCE.  103 

I  know ;  I^m  not  like  the  girls  slie^s  used  to.  I 
was  born  out  here  on  the  prairie^  and  I  haven't 
seen  much  besides  ;  but  something  tells  me  that 
my  love  for  you  would  teach  me  all  the  rest.  0 
Godfrey,  would  you  be  ashamed  of  me  ? '' 

^•^  Ashamed  of  you,  my  darling  !  what  can  you 
mean  ?  It  is  my  pride  that  I  found  you  and  loved 
you,  and  that  you  love  me.^'  He  put  his  arm 
around  her,  drawing  her  to  him.  She  still  sobbed, 
but  the  passion  of  her  tears  had  given  way  to  a 
more  contented  indulgence  in  the  memory  of 
her  grief.  She  leaned  against  him  in  silence  for  a 
few  moments,  and  then  raised  her  tear-stained 
face  as  a  child  might  to  be  kissed  and  forgiven. 

^^ Good-night,^' she  said,  ^^we  must  be  going; 
the  sociable  is  breaking  up ;  you  can  hear  the 
sleigh-bells.  You  will  forgive  me  for  not  liking 
your  mother  ?''  she  asked  doubtingly.  ^^It's  only 
what  you  might  expect ;  we  are  so  different.  But 
tell  me  you  love  me  once  again ;  it  seems  such  an 
age  since  you  spoke  the  words.'' 

He  smiled.  '^  Such  an  exacting  little  girl  !  I 
love  you,  Milly,  with  all  my  heart ;  kiss  me  again. 
Good-night.^' 

They  hastened  back  along  the  road,  already  alive 
with  merry  voices  and  jingling  sleigh-bells,  just  in 
time  to  hear  Sandy  exclaiming,  as  he  handed  Lady 
Galbraith  into  her  sleigh  : 

''^Do  tell !  who'd  a-thought  you'd  be  so  put  out 
at  my  calling  you  Mrs.  Alleyne  ?  Does  ^pear  as 
though  they  took  a  heap   o'  trouble  in  the  Old 


104  A  MAN'S  COJTSCIEi^CE. 

Country  to  mix  things  up.  But  I^m  sure  I  do 
ask  your  pardon  most  humbly.  I  wouldn^t  like  to 
brew  no  ill-will  with  Godfrey^s  mother,  considering 
the  nearness,  and  Milly,  and  all  the  rest.  But 
here's  Godfrey  and  Milly,  I  do  declar'  !  I  wonder 
whar  they've  been  doin'  their  courtin'  ?  I  wish 
you  good-evening,  Lady  Gal — " 

But  Milly  did  not  wait  for  the  completion  of 
her  father's  amends  ;  putting  her  arm  through  his, 
she  drew  him  away. 

^^Take  me  home,  father,'^  she  said  wearily.  ^^I 
want  to  go  home.^' 

The  party  at  the  Cross  Eoads  had  certainly 
proved  disappointing  to  more  than  one  of  the 
participants.  Lady  Galbraith  had  not  found  in  it 
that  pleasing  diversion  she  had  anticipated.  The 
drive  home  was  a  silent  one.  Even  the  glory  of 
the  glittering  night  failed  to  elicit  from  her  either 
comment  or  enthusiasm.  She  had  at  last  beheld 
the  abyss  over  which  her  son  hovered  disclosed  in 
all  its  threatening  depths. 

She  acknowledged  to  herself  that  the  girl  was 
not  without  beauty,  and  that  there  was  a  certain 
charm  in  her  fresh  young  voice  ;  but  as  she  dwelt 
upon  her  surroundings,  the  people  with  whom  she 
associated — even  the  father  whose  child  she  was — 
she  grew  more  intolerant  than  ever  of  her  son's 
infatuation.  Even  her  efforts  to  instil  an  appre- 
ciation of  a  more  rigid  ritual  into  the  mind  of  the 
Kev.  George  Boynton  had  not  met  with  the  grati- 
tude she  had  expected.  He  had  listened  indeed  with 


A   MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE,  105 

courteous  attention,  and  had  promised  to  ponder 
upon  her  suggestions  ;  but  he  had  also  urged  that 
a  people  young  in  the  Church  and  unaccustomed 
to  ceremony  were  sometimes  not  as  tolerant  of 
form  as  those  older  nations  who  required  many 
outward  signs  for  the  expression  of  their  spiritual 
graces.  Altogether  Lady  Galbraith  was  more  con- 
firmed than  ever  in  her  objection  to  levelling 
democracy.  She  went  heavily  to  bed,  weary  with 
the  evening's  experiences.  Not  so  Godfrey.  He 
sat  for  long  hours  in  front  of  the  smouldering 
fire,  with  no  thought  of  sleep.  There  were  prob- 
lems that  perplexed  him. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Si^ow  now  fell  with  a  persistence  only  equalled 
by  its  long  delay  in  appearing  at  all.  Alternate 
frost  and  brilliant  sunshine  had  formed  that  heavy 
crust  over  the  surface  which  is  the  joy  of  these 
dwellers  apart  from  the  haunts  of  men.  It  means 
a  more  ready  intercourse  with  the  outside  worlds 
and  an  indulgence  in  those  winter  pastimes  that 
come  as  a  grateful  interlude  to  the  year  of  hard 
work.  Already  several  parties  had  been  organized 
for  the  shooting  of  wild  game^  to  some  of  which 
Godfrey,  as  a  stranger,  was  invited  by  his  neigh- 
bors. The  settlement  of  the  land  had,  indeed, 
driven  such  sport  further  and  further  to  the  north 
and  west,  so  that  these  expeditions  often  meant  an 
absence  of  several  days  from  home. 

Sometimes  soon  after  midnight  the  sound  of 
jingling  bells  would  announce  the  approach  of 
sleighs  filled  with  men  and  boys  well  equipped  for 
a  long  expedition.  The  box  of  the  sleigh  was 
usually  fastened  to  two  sets  of  runners,  and  filled 
with  fresh  straw,  this  serving,  with  two  fast-travel- 
ling hardy  ponies,  as  their  means  of  transport.  A 
plentiful  supply  of  bread,  cold  meat,  and  a  demi- 
john of  spirits  were  considered  a  part  of  the  neces- 
sary outfit.     A  good  camp-fire  and  the  game  shot 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  107 

were  supposed  to  furnish  the  luxuries  of  the 
expedition. 

Clothed  in  buffalo-skin  coats,  with  caps,  gloves, 
and  boots  of  the  same  hide  ;  the  sleighs  filled  high 
with  whatever  fur  robes  each  could  contribute  to 
the  general  comfort,  these  merry  parties  would 
start  on  their  long  night  drive  over  the  glittering 
crust  of  even  snow.  Often  not  a  fence  or  brush 
impeded  their  way  for  miles  ;  Avith  now  and  then 
a  cheerful  word  to  the  horses,  they  sped  on  under 
the  brilliant  stars  that  shone  like  points  of  steely 
light  in  the  deep  blue  of  the  heavens  above  them. 

Godfrey  enjoyed  these  expeditions  above  all 
things.  The  sparkling  air  seemed  to  brace  his 
nerves  like  a  draught  of  some  exciting  elixir.  The 
speed,  the  silence,  the  novelty  of  the  night  journey, 
the  company  of  strangers  in  pursuit  of  a  sport  that 
was  new  to  him,  were  in  themselves  exhilarating. 
He  had  shot  larger  game  in  stranger  places,  but 
he  could  not  remember  ever  to  have  felt  the  sensa- 
tion of  absolute  excitement  which  thrilled  his 
blood  in  these  night  journeys  over  the  plains. 

This  was  a  time  never  to  be  forgotten.  Godfrey 
felt  the  fascination  of  this  free  life  as  he  did  that 
of  the  illimitable  view.  He  seemed  to  expand 
mentally  as  he  grew  physically  in  its  life-giving 
beauty.  Even  the  contact  with  his  companions — 
men  of  small  social  qualifications  certainly,  yet 
betraying  that  depth  of  thought  and  comprehen- 
sion which  seems  a  result  of  untrammelled  inter- 
course with   Kature   in   her    unveiled  aspects  — 


108  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

widened  his  view.  Godfrey^ s  very  soul  seemed  to 
quicken  in  these  nightly  readings  of  ]N"ature's 
scroll.  They  were  scenes  destined  to  dwell  in  his 
memory  and  to  exert  their  spell  long  after  the 
actual  environment  was  blotted  from  his  life. 

One  day  when  Godfrey  was  absent  on  one  of 
these  expeditions  Lady  Galbraith  determined  to 
carry  into  execution  a  plan  which  for  some  time 
had  been  maturing  in  her  mind.  Since  the  night 
of  the  donation  she  had  but  once  seen  Milly,  nor 
had  she  questioned  her  son,  although  she  knew 
that  he  had  on  more  than  one  occasion  visited  her. 
Indeed,  he  made  no  secret  of  his  occasional  ab- 
sences, and  had  endeavored,  though  futilel}^,  to 
win  his  mother  to  accompany  him.  Once  Sandy 
and  his  daughter,  dressed  in  their  Sunday  clothes, 
had  driven  over  to  pay  a  visit  of  ceremony  on 
Godfrey's  mother,  but  either  the  unusual  assump- 
tion of  Sunday  costume  on  a  week-day  or  else  some 
slight  appreciation  of  Lady  Galbraith's  antago- 
nistic attitude  caused  Sandy's  intermittent  reserve 
to  assume  an  impenetrable  resistance.  Godfrey 
was  unable  to  call  from  him  any  natural  response 
to  his  own  efforts  at  entertainment.  N^or  did  he 
succeed  much  better  with  Milly,  who  seemed  frozen 
to  a  mere  unyielding  image  of  her  usual  self.  The 
conversation  was  constrained,  and  at  last  would  have 
died  altogether  except  for  Godfrey's  heroic  efforts. 

Finally,  when  handing  Milly  into  the  sleigh,  he 
managed  to  hold  her  hand  for  a  moment  between 
his  own. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  109 

^^Don^t  mind  anything,  love/^  were  the  only 
words  he  found  to  urge  as  comfort,  but  the  tearful 
eyes  turned  upon  him,  that  smiling  lips  rendered 
only  the  more  appealing,  told  him  that  Milly  did 
mind,  and  that  her  very  heart  was  wounded.  He 
might  as  well  have  asked  a  bird  with  an  arrow 
through  its  breast  not  to  mind.  Could  he  have 
foreseen  how  the  gentle  heart  was  to  quiver  under 
a  more  fatal  thrust,  it  is  doubtful  whether  his 
boyish  laughter  would  have  rung  out  over  the  white 
world  again  that  day. 

His  mother,  however,  matured  her  preparations. 
She  called  Jackson  and  gave  him  minute  directions 
as  to  her  journey,  for  she  had  decided  to  take  him 
as  coachman  and  guide  over  the  plain  to  Sandy^s. 
Somewhat  late  in  the  afternoon  they  arrived  at  the 
square  unattractive  dwelling.  Lady  Galbraith 
descended  and  stood  before  the  door,  waiting  for 
her  summons  to  be  answered.  The  sound  of  her 
announcement  had  ap23arently  not  been  heeded, 
for  a  girlish  voice  sang  on  in  undisturbed  rise  and 
fall.  The  words  and  air  were  plaintive,  but  lost 
something  of  their  prophetic  sadness  in  the  glad 
full  tone  of  the  singer's  voice  : 

Dinna  forget,  laddie,  dinna  forget, 
Ne'er  make  me  rue  that  ever  we  ha'  met; 
Wide  though  we  sever,  parted  for  ever, 
Laddie,  when  far  awa  dinna  forget. 

Lady  Galbraith  drew  off  her  sealskin  glove,  and 
rapped    a    little    impatiently.     The    girFs  voice 


110  A   MAN'S  COKSCIEl^CE. 

ceased ;  she  came  hastily  with  wondering  eyes  to 
open  the  door  and  admit  her  visitor.  She  drew 
back  almost  alarmed  at  finding  herself  face  to  face 
with  Godfrey^s  mother.  But  her  inborn  sense  of 
hospitality  did  not  permit  of  hesitation.  She  held 
out  her  hand,  saying,  ^^How  do  you  do.  Lady 
Galbraith  ?  Where  is  Godfrey  ?  I  suppose  you 
haven^t  come  without  him.  I  suppose  he  is  some- 
wlieres  about ;  you  don^t  like  our  country  well 
enough  to  take  solitary  sleigh  rides  of  so  many 
miles.  ^^  Her  sentences  had  the  upward  inflection 
of  all  her  tones,  but  Lady  Galbraith  evidently 
thought  the  questions  implied  needed  some  special 
notice. 

^^  Yes,  I  am  well,  thank  you.  Miss  Alistair  ;  and 
Fm  alone  except  for  Jackson.  I  cannot  pretend 
to  like  your  country,  nor  the  long  strange  drives 
one  takes  without  guide-posts  or  road  to  show  one 
the  way  or  indicate  where  one  is  likely  to  find 
oneself.  Nevertheless,  I  have  come  without  my 
son,  and  with  the  object,  I  may  say,  of  seeing  you 
alone.  I  hope  you  don't  object  to  my  unloosening 
the  furs  with  which  I  am  obliged  to  protect  my- 
self. It  is  almost  impossible  for  me  to  speak  at 
present.'' 

^^  Allow  me,"  Milly  said ;  but  her  hands  trem- 
bled as  she  unfastened  the  sable  and  sealskin  at 
her  visitor's  throat. 

^^ Thank  you,  thank  you,  my  dear,^'  Lady  Gal- 
braith said,  settling  herself  in  an  armchair  near  the 
fire.     She  did  not  doubt  the  reasonableness  and 


A  MAK'S  COl^SCIEKGE.  Ill 

good  sense  of  this  young  person  when  once  shown 
the  falseness  of  the  position  she  occupied.  After 
all^  it  was  not  easy  for  her  to  begin,  and  no  harm 
could  come  of  this  small  condescension. 

Milly  stood  with  her  slight  figure  drawn  to  its 
fullest  height,  her  hands,  loosely  clasped,  hanging 
before  her.  The  dark  blue  of  her  simple  dress 
brought  out  the  delicate  tints  of  her  hair  and  skin, 
while  its  severe  outline  seemed  to  accentuate  her 
youth. 

Lady  Galbraith  cleared  her  throat,  and  said  she 
feared  her  old  enemy,  bronchitis  ;  she  would  not 
have  ventured  upon  such  exposure  for  any  other 
reason  than  the  one  named.  Milly  made  no  reply, 
and  Lady  Galbraith  coughed  again.  It  was  very 
annoying ;  she  believed  she  must  try  another 
troche.  Had  Milly  ever  used  them  ?  No  ;  Milly 
had  never  had  a  cough.  She  was  perfectly  well. 
The  elder  woman  looked  at  her  with  a  certain 
envy.  There,  surely,  was  one  gift,  then,  that 
could  neither  be  bought  nor  inherited.  The 
thought  served  as  an  irritant,  and  brought  her 
back  to  the  stern  duty  before  her.  She  would 
neither  hesitate  nor  delay. 

'^  Yes,  as  I  was  about  to  say,  the  climate  is  ex- 
ceedingly trying — not  one  that  either  man  or 
woman  should  encounter  who  possesses  liberty  of 
action.  I  am  persuading  dear  Godfrey  to  feel  in 
this  matter  as  I  do.  In  the  spring  I  shall  hope  to 
take  him  back  with  me  to  England. ^^ 

''  To  England  ? ''  Milly  repeated.     ''  He  hasn't 


112  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

spoken  to  me  of  going/^  she  ventured  tremblingly; 
^^  but  then — ah^  yes,  for  a  visit.  It  is  very  natural 
he  should  want  to  go  home  for  a  visit.  I^m  sure  I 
should/'^  she  went  on,  laughing  a  little  hysterically, 
^^  if  I  lived  away  from  here.  It  doesn^t  look  so  very 
attractive,  does  it.^^^  she  asked.  ^^I  suppose  you 
wouldn't  guess  how  fond  I  am  of  our  country  ? 
Godfrey  is,  too,'^  she  continued  desperately.  ''  He 
says  he  likes  its  vastness  and  the  feeling  of  freedom 
an  unlimited  horizon  gives  one.  I'm  sure  I  can't 
tell  what  that  means  exactly,  but  I  know  he  likes 
it." 

''  In  moments  of  enthusiasm  my  son,  doubtless, 
has  made  use  of  these  expressions  you  quote. 
Young  men  easily  adopt  new  methods,  a  new  peo- 
ple, a  new  country,  even  new  friends.  I  trust  you 
do  not  take  as  quite  serious  the  natural  enthusiasm 
of  youth.  My  son  cannot  in  reality  be  blind  to 
the  advantages  of  his  own  land  and  race.  He  will 
return  to  them  after  this  little — experience  " — she 
had  paused  for  a  suitable  word — ^^  and  forget  that 
he  has  ever  lived  away  from  them." 

^^  Forget  I  "  murmured  Milly,  scarcely  compre- 
hending what  she  heard.  ^•'  Forget  his  life  here  ! 
ah,  that  could  not  be  !  Even  if  he  left  here  and 
gave  up  all  his  plans  for  improving  the  farm  and 
all,  he  would  still  have  me.  I  could  not  forget, 
no  matter  where  I  lived.  I  would  always  remem- 
ber the  first  springing  green  that  seems  to  cover 
the  earth  like  a  mantle  in  one  short  night.  I 
should  always  remember  the  miles  of  waving  grain 


A   MAK'S   COiq^SCIEI^CE.  113 

that  turns  to  golcl^  and  that  seems  always  whisper- 
ing in  the  soft  breeze.  I  should  remember  the  pine 
slope,  and  the  Cross  Koads,  and  this  house,  and  Jim 
and  Hannah  ;  and  0,  papa  I  could  not  forget,  and 
Godfrey  could  not,  either/^ 

She  had  laced  her  slender  fingers  one  within 
another,  which  she  nervously  clasped  tighter  than 
before  ;  tears  stood  in  her  eyes  at  the  thought  of 
what  she  might  be  called  upon  to  hold  dear  only  in 
memory,  but  as  yet  no  deeper  unhappiness  dimmed 
them. 

For  youth  there  are  so  many  possibilities,  such 
endless  expedients,  that  the  pain  of  foreboding 
seldom  lays  hold  upon  it  for  long.  The  real  sig- 
nificance of  Lady  Galbraith's  words  did  not  reach 
Milly.  She  was  conscious  only  of  a  feeling  of  un- 
easiness in  the  presence  of  the  elder  woman  who 
thus  looked  upon  her  coldly,  almost  distrustfully. 
She  experienced  a  desire  to  prove  to  her  that  God- 
frey's interests  concerned  her  as  vitally  as  they  did 
the  one  who  spoke  so  confidently  of  his  plans. 

^^ He  would  not  be  absent  long?''  she  asked 
doubtingly  ;  ^^  he  is  perhaps  intending  to  take  the 
journey  that  you  may  not  be  alone." 

^^  You  mistake,"  replied  Lady  Galbraith.  ^^  My 
son  will  doubtless  have  arranged  by  then  to  sever 
all  connection  with  the  West.  He  will  probably 
accept  an  offer  made  by  a  friend  who  wishes  to 
invest  here  ;  will  make  over  his  farm  to  him,  and 
will  return  to  England  to  remain.  He  has  family 
interests  which   must   displace  the  slight  ties  he 


114  A   MAN'S  COKSCIENCE. 

has  formed  here.  When  a  man  is  born  to  God- 
frey's position  he  must  think  of  upholding  it 
worthily  before  all  else.  This  experience  has,  I 
dare  say,  been  of  service  to  him,  but  he  must  not 
think  of  wasting  his  life  here.  No,  he  must  return 
and  prepare  to  settle  down.  His  engagement  to 
his  cousin  has  been  of  long  standing,  and  my 
dearest  wish  is  to  live  to  witness  its  consumma- 
tion.^' 

Lady  Galbraith  was  unable  to  face  her  victim 
lest  some  show  of  agony  in  the  young  face  should 
weaken  her  resolve.  She  was  not  by  nature  either 
hard  or  cruel.  She  could  not  remember  ever  to 
have  dreaded  an  interview  so  much  or  felt  less 
satisfaction  in  performing  an  obvious  duty.  She 
played  with  the  sable  tails  of  her  mantle  lest  she 
should  be  betrayed  into  some  other  demonstration 
of  emotion. 

Milly's  hands  were  no  longer  clasped  before  her. 
She  had  staggered  back  a  step  or  two  to  where  a 
tall  straight-backed  chair  gave  her  support,  and 
now  with  both  hands  was  clutching  the  polished 
rounds  to  save  herself  from  falling. 

^^  Godfrey  engaged!'^  she  repeated,  as  though 
trying  to  fit  a  possible  meaning  to  the  words  she 
spoke.  Her  lips  parted  dryly,  and  she  made  one 
or  two  ineffectual  efforts  before  the  words  became 
audible.  '^^  Godfrey  is  engaged,'^  she  said,  ^^  en- 
gaged to  be  married  to  me.  He  has  never  spoken 
of  any  other  wish  or  told  me  of  what  you  speak. ^' 

^^  This  is  a  very  serious  business,  I  am  afraid.  Miss 


""  Milly  had  sunk  upon  the  cushions  of  the  chair^  with  her  head 
drooping  against  its  high  back^ 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIENCE.  115 

Alistair/'  began  Lady  Galbraitli.  ''  I  cannot  hide 
from  you  the  truth.  If  Godfrey  has  imprudently 
spoken  to  you  words  he  should  never  have  uttered, 
if  he  has  led  you  to  believe  that  he  was  free  to  marry 
you  or  any  other  young  girl  of  your  birth  and  posi- 
tion, then  I,  as  his  mother,  am  the  first  to  condemn 
him.  He  must  for  the  moment  have  been  blind 
to  all  the  obligations  of  his  past  life.  Do  you 
realize  that  my  son  may  one  day  stand  at  the  head 
of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  honorable  families  in 
the  kingdom  ?  It  is  not,  I  own,  a  probable  event. 
His  eldest  brother,  thank  God  !  is  alive  and  well, 
while  his  two  young  sons  are  as  promising  as  chil- 
dren need  be  ;  but  stranger  things  have  happened. 
I  ask  you,  do  you  feel  you  would  be  showing  him 
your  truest  love  by  carrying  out  his  mistaken 
fancy,  thereby  hampering  his  future  with  a  bond 
he  could  not  break  ?  Or  do  you  rise  to  the  sacri- 
fice of  self  which  I  point  out,  and  for  his  sake  free 
him  now  and  for  ever  ?  " 

Milly  had  sunk  upon  the  cushions  of  the  chair, 
with  her  head  drooping  against  its  high  back.  All 
color  had  left  her  face,  but  deep  violet  circles 
settling  about  her  eyes  seemed  to  have  intensified 
their  shade  and  expression.  Lady  Galbraith, 
looking  up,  was  startled  at  the  change  a  few  mo- 
ments had  wrought. 

^^  I  do  not  say  that  I  am  asking  a  small  thing  of 
you,  my  child,^^  she  said,  her  voice  faltering  a  little. 
"  I  do  not  belittle  the  sacrifice,  but  I  solemnly 
avow  what  I  believe  to  be  the  truth — that  God- 


116  A   MAN'S   COKSCIE:&q^CE. 

frey    will    live    to    bless    you    for    setting    him 
tree/' 

Milly^s  eyes  were  closed  now^  while  great  tears 
forced  themselves  through  the  sealed  lids  and 
rolled  unheeded  down  her  pale  cheeks.  Could  this 
be  really  true,  she  asked  herself,  these  hard  words 
which  stabbed,  each  one  as  a  knife  might,  her 
quivering  flesh.  Had  she  been  existing  in  a  fools' 
paradise,  loving  and  living  only  in  the  light  tiiat 
ought  never  to  have  shone  for  her  ?  Was  God- 
frey, then,  not  to  be  trusted,  and  had  he  in  all 
these  months  been  only  amusing  himself  that  he 
might  not  dwell  too  sadly  on  past  happiness  ?  She 
could  not  believe  it.  ISTot  a  look  she  recalled,  or  a 
tone  of  his  voice,  but  what  said  to  her  plainer  than 
any  words,  ^'Godfrey  loves  you.''  Whatever 
may  have  been  before  and  belonged,  as  many  other 
memories  must,  to  those  bygone  days,  now,  at 
least,  she  felt  he  was  all  her  own.  Should  she 
wound  him  as  well  as  herself  by  this  renunciation  ? 
She  did  not  know.  He  certainly  was  above  her, 
far  above  her,  from  every  worldly  point  of  view  ; 
but,  after  all,  he  had  not  yet  gone  back  to  that 
other  life,  possibly  she  could  prevail  upon  him 
never  to  do  so.  There  might,  indeed,  be  a  chance, 
so  remote  as  to  scarcely  need  consideration,  that 
he  would  one  day  stand  at  the  head  of  his  house, 
but  one  couldn't  for  ever  be  balancing  such  remote 
possibilities.  He  was  Godfrey  now — Godfrey,  her 
own  promised  husband.  What  could  any  one, 
even  his  mother,  mean  by  trying  to  set  aside  a 


A  MAN'S  co:n^science.  117 

bond  so  vital?  She  loved  him  with  her  whole 
hearty  and  she  believed  that  he  loved  her.  She 
would  not  give  him  up,  not  unless  he  should  ask  it 
of  her,  not  until  she  was  convinced  that  their  union 
was  no  longer  his  wish. 

The  silence  that  had  fallen  between  them  was  of 
such  duration  that  Lady  Galbraith  was  at  last  con- 
strained to  break  it. 

''  Have  you  decided  that  my  son  shall  return  to 
his  old  life,  free  to  follow  the  dictates  of  his  heart 
and  good  sense  ?  Shall  I  carry  the  word  back  to 
him  that  will  render  him  free  ?  " 

The  tears  no  longer  dropped  one  by  one  on 
Milly^s  clasped  hands  ;  her  eyes  were  dry  and 
burned  brightly,  while  two  hot  spots  on  either 
cheek  had  changed  her  stricken  face  to  childish 
energy  again.  She  sprang  again  from  her  chair. 
She  even  stood  defiantly  before  her  visitor,  while 
she  twisted  into  a  shapeless  knot  the  tiny  handker- 
chief with  which  she  dried  her  eyes. 

^^  No,  no  ! ''  she  exclaimed  vehemently ;  ^^  I  will 
not  release  Godfrey  except  at  his  own  request. 
You  have  no  right  to  come  here  with  words  he  has 
never  spoken.  I  do  not  believe  he  loves  any  one 
but  me — not  this  cousin  you  say  he  is  engaged  to, 
and  who  is,  I  suppose,  a  grand  lady  too.  He 
speaks  of  her  often  to  me,  and  has  told  me  she 
would  love  me  for  the  sake  of  their  childhood  to- 
gether and  the  sisterly  love  she  bore  him ;  but  he's 
never  said  he  intended  to  marry  her — never. '^ 

''You  don't   understand,'' Lady  Galbraith  be- 


118  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

gun  coldly ;  ^^  these  things  are  arranged  differently 
Avitli  us.  There  is  something  sterner  to  be  con- 
sidered than  a  lawless  fancy,  or  the  indulging  of  a 
passing  whim.  Marriage  is  too  serious  a  matter  to 
be  entered  upon  lightly  when  a  man  must  pre- 
serve the  unstained  purity  of  his  line.^'' 

Milly  shook  her  head  wearily ;  she  did  not  un- 
derstand Lady  Galbraith's  argument.  She  com- 
prehended only  that  this  duel  was  to  the  death ; 
to  save  her  life  she  must  stand  fast.  First,  she 
must  be  convinced  that  Godfrey  would  not  suffer ; 
then  possibly  it  would  be  easier  to  lay  down  her 
arms  and  own  herself  vanquished.  Lady  Galbraith 
rose  to  depart;  she  haughtily  drew  her  mantle 
about  her,  declining  all  assistance. 

'^  I  will  trouble  you  to  have  my  man  called.  I 
have  a  long  drive  before  me.^'' 

Milly  went  out  through  the  kitchen,  giving  the 
necessary  order,  but  when  she  returned  she  held  a 
little  tray  in  her  hand,  on  which  were  a  glass  of 
wine  and  some  cake.  Despite  the  feeling  of  antago- 
nism which  Lady  Galbraith  roused  in  her,  she  could 
not  forget  the  sense  of  hospitality  which  was  in- 
herent in  her  nature. 

Lady  Galbraith  declined  the  offer ;  she  was  not 
in  a  mood  for  partaking  of  any  refreshment.  No ; 
she  would  be  obliged  to  Milly  if  she  would  hasten 
Jackson^s  preparations.  Her  visit  had  been  accom- 
plished, and  she  was  anxious  to  return.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  sleigh  was   at  the  door,   and,   with 


A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  119 

Jackson^s  help,  his  mistress  was  secured  against 
the  attacks  of  wind  and  weather.  With  a  frigid 
^^  Good-afternoon  "  to  Milly,  whom  she  left  stand- 
ing in  the  doorway,  Lady  Galbraith  turned  her 
face  homewards. 


CHAPTER  X. 

There  are  times  when  an  added  sense  seems 
joined  to  those  material  ones  by  which  we  com- 
monly receive  impressions.  Some  quickened  in- 
telligence is  ready  then  to  convey  to  the  brain  not 
only  what  is  visible  or  tangible,  but  a  subtle  pre- 
science of  what  could  not  otherwise  be  known. 
The  timeworn  terms  by  which  we  recognize  this 
attribute — presentiment,  forewarning,  what  you 
will — as  often  provoke  a  smile  as  any  serious  con- 
sideration ;  but,  whether  we  scoff  or  believe,  we 
must  each  at  some  time  have  been  startled  by  an 
inward  spiritual  flash,  and  have  yielded  a  recogni- 
tion of  some  kind  to  the  incomprehensible  messen- 
ger. 

A  subtle  forewarning  of  this  kind  was  keeping 
pace  with  Lady  Galbraith  as  she  journeyed  home- 
wards. The  further  she  travelled  away  from  her 
late  disturbing  interview  the  more  vividly  she  be- 
came impressed  with  an  undefmable  sense  of  ap- 
prehension. She  would  now,  had  she  been  able, 
have  turned  to  even  the  unwelcome  thought  of 
her  recent  visit,  as  a  relief  against  this  encroach- 
ing sense  of  unrest.  She  urged  Jackson  to  greater 
haste  in  driving,  and  yet,  could  she  have  consist- 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  121 

ently  reversed  her  orders,  she  would  have  as  im- 
petuously restrained  him  as  they  came  within  sight 
of  her  son's  house. 

She  said  to  herself  that  her  nerves  were  strangely 
shaken  by  the  interview  with  Milly.  She  could 
not  have  believed  it  possible  that  a  mere  girl,  not  of 
her  own  class,  could  so  have  unsettled  her  ;  neither 
could  she  have  anticipated  so  complete  a  rout 
where  she  had  too  confidently  planned  a  victory. 
However,  it  was  all  of  a  piece  with  her  precon- 
ceived ideas  of  this  ^^  young  person,^'  as  she  named 
Milly.  She  wondered  almost  that  she  had  conde- 
scended to  ordinary  argument,  as  would  be  the 
case  in  dealing  with  a  more  cultured  product  of  an 
older  soil.  She  did  not  altogether  regret  her  visit, 
feeling  the  backbone  of  accomplished  duty  her 
strength,  even  in  defeat.  It  cannot  be  denied  that 
a  feeling  bordering  on  resentment,  if  not  the  more 
undignified  one  of  anger,  had  at  first  stirred  Lady 
Galbraith's  heart  after  parting  with  Milly,  but  this 
had  given  way  before  the  more  pressing  one  of  an- 
ticipated ill  which  now  possessed  her. 

The  drive  had  been  a  long  one,  and  the  wind, 
sharp  as  frost-needles,  met  the  travellers  full  in 
their  faces.  Lady  Galbraith  was  weary  from  the 
unusual  conflict  her  visit  had  inspired,  but  more 
acutely  depressed  by  reason  of  physical  discomfort. 
She  longed  for  the  cheery  fireside  and  Margaret's 
ministrations.  She  pityingly  called  herself  an  old 
woman,  and  not  fit  for  such  rough  journeyings. 
She  blamed  herself  that  she  could  no  longer  sur- 


122  A   MAIL'S   CON^SCIEKCB. 

mount  what  would  have  appeared  but  trifles  in 
former  days.  She  must  be  growing  old,  she  said 
again,  to  have  succumbed  at  the  beck  of  nervous 
imaginings.  She  grew  more  and  more  apprehen- 
sive, nevertheless,  as  they  approached  the  farm- 
house. 

Godfrey  was  still  absent,  she  supposed,  with  the 
hunting-party  he  had  joined  some  days  previous ; 
yet,  as  she  came  within  sight  of  the  house,  she 
was  scarcely  surprised  to  find  him  standing  in  the 
open  doorway.  Every  thought  naturally  centred 
around  her  son  ;  therefore  her  vague  forebodings 
had  of  necessity  hovered  about  him  as  their  pivot 
of  being.  The  unreasoning  sense  of  dread  that 
had  chilled  her  heart,  making  the  way  doubly 
long,  gave  place  at  the  sight  of  him  to  one  of 
thankful  relief.  Yet  it  v,^as  with  trembling  lips 
she  forced  a  smile  to  greet  him ;  even  with  her 
hand  in  his  she  could  not  shake  off  the  shadowy 
oppression  that  possessed  her.  She  leaned  heavily 
on  his  arm  as  he  helped  her  to  alight,  and  led  her 
in  beside  the  bright  fireside. 

She  repeated  that  she  was  glad  to  be  at  home 
again,  but  decided  that  this  was  not  the  time  to 
recount  the  object  or  result  of  her  visit.  She  con- 
tented herself  with  more  general  inquiries  concern- 
ing the  pleasure  of  his  expedition  and  the  reason 
for  his  early  return.  Something  at  length  in  his 
mechanical  replies,  or  the  tone  of  forced  cheerful- 
ness he  used,  arrested  Lady  Galbraith's  attention. 
She  turned,  regarding  him  more  closely.     Again 


A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  123 

she  fell  to  trembling,  all  her  past  dread  rushing 
back  upon  her  with  overmastering  force. 

^^What  has  happened,  Godfrey  ?^^  she  asked 
breathlessly.  ^^Wliy  do  you  look  so  strangely? 
Something  unlocked  for  and  terrible  has  befallen 
us.  For  hours  I  have  been  possessed  with  a  vague 
alarm,  and  now  I  know  by  your  look  that  you  have 
ill  news  for  me.^^ 

Godfrey  took  a  telegram  from  an  inner  pocket 
of  his  coat,  and  came  and  knelt  beside  his  mother's 
chair. 

'^Ah,^^  shesaid  ;  "my  children!  Something  has 
befallen  them  !  You  have  news  from  home  ? " 
She  sank  back  heavily  against  the  chair. 

^'  Yes,  dear  mother,  I  have  sad  news  indeed.  I 
fear  you  will  be  greatly  distressed,  yet  I  cannot 
keep  it  from  you.^^  He  paused,  scarcely  knowing 
how  to  proceed.  ^'  It  is  about  Bertie's  children — 
the  two  little  men.  Can  you  bear  to  hear  what  I 
must  tell  you  ? '' 

Lady  Galbraith's  face,  laid  back  against  the 
chair,  looked  ashen  and  crumpled,  like  withered 
white  rose-leaves  ;  but  unconsciously  she  straight- 
ened herself  to  meet  the  blow,  feeling  the  power 
of  noUesse  even  in  this  moment  of  supreme  dread. 

'^  The  little  fellows  have  been  very  ill,'''  Godfrey 
began  cautiously,  ^S^ery  ill  indeed  ;  both  stricken 
with  that  scourge  to  children,  diphtheria. ^^ 

^^  And  ?"  Lady  Galbraith's  rigid  lips  formed. 

^*  And, '^  repeated  her  son,  ^^you  must  bear  their 
loss  with  your  own  accustomed  fortitude.     Gwen- 


124  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

dolen  telegraphs  that  they  died  within  a  few  hours 
of  each  other^  after  a  brief  illness/^ 

^^My  dear  little  ones  V  was  all  that  Lady  Gal- 
braith  could  utter  brokenly.  She  seemed  bowed 
with  the  weight  of  the  blow,  and  the  stamp  of 
years  could  no  longer  be  concealed  by  any  effort  of 
will.  She  sobbed  brokenly,  after  the  manner  of 
old  age,  but  presently  her  mind  turned  to  those 
whose  loss  was  heavier  than  her  own.  ^^  My  poor 
son  !  my  poor  Lilian  !     What  of  them  ? '' 

^^It  is  very  sad/^  explained  Godfrey.  ^^They 
have  no  word  from  Bertie,  and  cannot  tell  whether 
the  news  has  reached  him  yet ;  and  Lilian  lies  dan- 
gerously ill,  raving  of  her  children  night  and  day.^^ 

^^God  help  her!^^  murmured  Lady  Galbraith ; 
but,  with  her  natural  energy  again  reasserting  it- 
self, she  exclaimed  :  ^^  When  can  we  go  to  them  ? 
How  soon  be  beside  dear  Lilian^s  bedside  ? '' 

^*  Gwen  begs  that  we  may  come  at  once,  by  the 
first  steamer,  but  that  would  mean  immediate 
preparation  and  incessant  travelling,  were  you  able 
to  undertake  the  journey.^^ 

^^  Do  not  think  of  me.  I  am  able  and  ready  for 
any  fatigue  ;  only  let  us  start  as  soon  as  the  prepa- 
rations can  be  made.  It  is  maddening  to  waste 
time  here,  when  we  are  needed  so  sorely  at  home. 
AVhen  can  we  start  ?  Every  minute^s  delay  seems 
unbearable.''^ 

^*^  We  should  have  to  start  very  early  to-morrow 
morning,  ^^  replied  her  son,  ^^if  we  would  catch 
the  steamer  leaving  New  York  on  Saturday.""* 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE.  125 

'^  It  is  not  too  soon;  I  shall  be  ready /^  said  Lady 
Galbraitb,  starting  up  ;  but  sbe  sank  back  again, 
yielding  to  the  weakness  she  could  not  withstand. 
Godfrey  gently  assisted  her  to  her  room,  promising 
to  make  all  the  preparations  necessary  for  their  de- 
parture in  the  morning. 

But  he  went  about  his  arrangements  with  a 
heavy  heart.  He  knew  that  he  must  yield  to  an 
exigency  he  could  not  resist,  and  for  which  he  was 
unprepared  ;  but  he  did  so  with  untold  reluctance. 
The  thought  of  a  return  to  England  had  been  so 
remote,  in  spite  of  his  mother's  allusion  to  such  a 
chance,  that  he  could  not  bring  himself  to  look 
upon  it  now  as  ineyi table.  While  he  packed  his 
trunks  and  instructed  his  overseer,  making  such 
hasty  plans  as  were  possible,  he  seemed  to  walk 
and  speak  in  the  fictitious  light  of  a  dream.  His 
thoughts  were  hurried  and  confused,  and  always 
afterwards  when  he  thought  of  that  night  it 
seemed  to  him  the  most  indefinite  in  his  existence. 
Sorrow  for  the  untoward  death  of  his  young 
nephews ;  sympathy  for  his  brother,  enduring 
alone  and  in  a  far  land  the  shock  of  his  grievous 
loss ;  anxiety  for  Lilian,  who,  unable  to  bear  the 
snatching  away  of  her  little  ones,  lay  ill  in  body 
and  mind — possibly  unto  death  ;  solicitude  for 
Gwendolen,  his  boyhood's  friend,  almost  sister : 
all  mingled  and  stirred  his  heart  as  he  hastily 
prepared  for  his  departure.  But,  above  all,  rose 
the  image  of  Milly.  How  could  he  leave  her  ? 
How  would  she  meet   this  unexpected  change — 


126  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

how  endure  the  loneliness  and  suspense  of  his  ab- 
sence ? 

During  the  early  part  of  the  night  he  had  cher- 
ished the  hope  of  saving  from  the  flying  hours 
sufficient  time  to  ride  hurriedly  to  Sandy^s  and 
carry  the  news  of  his  unlooked-for  recall  to  Eng- 
land. He  would  then  be  able  to  speak  the  fare- 
well words  that  would  soften  the  pain  of  parting. 
As  the  night  advanced  he  still  found  much  to 
accomplish  before  the  dawn^,  and  at  length  reluc- 
tantly admitted  that  written  words  must  carry  his 
message.  Towards  evening  the  house  resumed  its 
usual  quiet.  Trunks  and  portmanteaus  stood 
piled  by  the  doorway  ;  robes  of  fur  and  wool^  bas- 
kets containing  refreshment  for  the  following  da}^ 
and  every  provision  that  thought  or  care  could 
devise,  were  ready  for  the  long  cold  journey. 

The  fire  was  low  on  the  hearth,  but  Godfrey 
had  no  time  to  notice  his  own  discomfort.  Draw- 
ing his  chair  to  the  table,  he  prepared  to  speak  his 
farewell  to  Milly  in  the  only  w^ay  left  him.  He 
wrote  long  and  rapidly,  and  when  the  last  '^  God 
be  with  you  !  '^  had  been  added  to  the  final  page 
the  clock  warned  him  that  it  w\as  time  to  be  on 
the  w^ay. 

It  had  been  decided  that  Jackson  and  Margaret 
should  accompany  their  master  and  mistress  to 
England,  returning  later  with  Godfrey  if  they 
desired  it. 

Soon,  in  the  gloomy  darkness  of  a  frosty  winter's 
morning,  the  four  turned   their  faces  eastward. 


A   MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  127 

leaving  the  shadow  of  Godfrey's  Western  home 
scarcely  discernible  in  the  fast-increasing  distance. 
Catching  a  last  glimpse  of  the  familiar  scene, 
Godfrey  acknowledged  with  a  sigh  that  he  was 
bidding  adieu  to  much  that  had  grown  dear  to 
him. 

Before  daylight  the  travellers  arrived  at  the 
Cross  Eoads  ;  no  one  was  stirring  as  yet  about  the 
post-ofFice,  nor  was  there  any  sign  of  life  in  the 
village.  Leaving  the  sleigli  for  a  moment,  God- 
frey tried,  by  the  help  of  a  lighted  match,  to  find 
a  post-box,  or  whatever  equivalent  the  Cross 
Eoads  afforded,  in  which  to  deposit  his  letters. 
Aided  by  the  flaring  light,  he  soon  discovered  a 
square  piece  of  tin  inserted  in  lieu  of  glass  in  one 
of  the  windows.  Over  an  irregular  slit  made 
through  its  centre  had  been  scratched  with  a 
sharpened  nail  the  w^ord  ''  Leters.^'  Through 
this  he  hastily  thrust  the  one  intended  for  Milly, 
waiting  to  hear  it  drop  on  the  bare  boards  of  the 
floor  within.  For  a  moment  there  flashed  through 
his  mind  a  recollection  of  the  scene  in  which  he 
had  j)layed  a  conspicuous  part  some  months  pre- 
vious ;  the  irresponsible  attitude  of  the  postmaster 
on  that  occasion  recurred  to  him  now.  With  a 
quick  change  of  intention  he  would  gladly  have 
withdrawn  the  letter,  had  he  been  able,  intrusting 
it  to  some  more  reliable  custody  than  Jake's.  He 
tried  the  door,  hoping  to  find  it  unlocked  and  to 
repossess  himself  of  the  letter,  but  an  unwonted 
care  on  the  part  of  the  postmaster  had  rendered  the 


128  A  MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

idea  impossible  of  fulfilment.  The  door  was  se- 
curely fastened.  Godfrey  sliook  it  with  some 
annoyance.  He  was  almost  inclined  to  force  the 
door  from  its  hinges  and  secure  the  letter  at  all 
hazards,  but  he  reflected  that  this  was  the  day 
Sandy  always  rode  over  to  the  post-office  to  get  his 
letters,  and  that  he  would  run  the  risk  of  a  week^s 
delay  should  he  carry  Milly^s  on  with  him  to  post 
at  some  more  important  station.  Besides,  no  mat- 
ter where  he  consigned  the  letter  to  the  mail,  it 
must  still  arrive  at  the  post-office  of  the  Cross 
Eoads.  Moreover,  time  was  pressing.  There 
must  be  sharp  driving  to  reach  the  nearest  railway 
station  in  time  for  the  eastern-bound  express. 
Hastily  seizing  the  reins  again,  he  urged  on  the 
horses,  and  soon  the  hamlet  of  tlie  Cross  Eoads 
had  joined  the  widening  plain  that  gradually 
separated  the  travellers  from  the  West. 

Arriving  at  N'ew  York  early  the  following  Satur- 
day, Godfrey  discovered  that  the  ship  he  intended 
to  embark  in  would  not  leave  until  late  in  the 
afternoon.  This  would  give  him  time  to  secure 
suitable  cabins  and  make  other  arrangements  for 
their  comfort  on  board.  He  would  also  have  an 
opportunity  to  visit  his  bankers,  hoping  to  find 
there  further  news  of  Gwendolen.  She,  he  thought, 
counting  on  their  immediate  departure,  would 
doubtless  send  all  messages  to  the  banking-house 
accustomed  to  receive  and  forward  his  correspond- 
ence. Leaving  his  mother  comfortably  established 
at  an  hotel  not  far  distant,  he  hastened  down  that 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE.  129 

crowded,  noisy,  narrow  thoroughfare  that  bears 
the  misleading  name  ^^  Broadway/^ 

He  soon  found  the  well-known  house  he  was 
seeking,  and  entered.  One  of  the  clerks,  recogniz- 
ing him  before  he  was  able  to  make  inquiries, 
thrust  some  letters  with  two  cable  messages  into 
his  hand.  With  the  nervous  haste  that  seems  a 
leading  characteristic  of  business  men  in  every 
department  of  this  hurrying  city,  the  employe 
hastened  away  before  Godfrey  could  utter  so  much 
as  ''  Thank  you,^^  and  was  again  bent  double  in  the 
service  of  the  next  applicant. 

A  long  sofa  or  cushioned  bench  ran  along  the 
wall,  and  to  this,  following  the  example  of  others, 
Godfrey  retired  to  open  and  read  his  letters.  He 
was  gravely  anxious  for  news,  and  scarcely  waited 
to  seat  himself  before  tearing  open  one  of  the  yel- 
lowish envelopes  he  held.  He  expected  word  from 
Gwendolen  concerning  Lilian  and  his  brother,  but 
what  he  read  was  so  totally  unlike  his  expectations 
that  he  did  not  at  first  comprehend  the  meaning 
contained  in  the  words.  The  message  was  signed 
with  the  name  of  the  family  solicitors,  and  read  as 
follows :  '^  Lord  Galbraith  drowned  the  17th — 
Australia — come  immediately.  '^ 

Nothing  beyond  the  cold  bare  announcement, 
conveyed  with  that  economy  of  phrase  that  appears 
a  triumph  of  condensed  intelligence  to  the  sender, 
while  apparently  no  thought  of  the  effect  produced 
softens  its  calculated  brevity. 

Godfrey  read  and  reread  the  short  sentence  be- 


130  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

fore  the  dread  meaning  of  the  unshaded  fact 
seemed  to  dawn  upon  him.  Thoughts  of  the  most 
foreign  nature  flashed  through  his  brain  while  he 
still  mechanically  repeated  the  words.  Scenes  that 
had  been  forgotten  since  childhood  obtruded  them- 
selves with  startling  vividness  upon  his  mind's 
vision.  Memories  of  his  father  and  of  Bertie  be- 
came curiously  confused  with  the  scene  before  him. 
Quick-footed  men  came  and  went,  asking  high- 
pitched  sharped-toned  questions  of  the  clerks  still 
bending  over  the  counter ;  uniformed  messengers 
of  diminutive  stature  with  careworn  faces  handed 
books  or  cheques  to  attentive  employes,  and  re- 
ceived messages  or  carried  notes  sufficient  to  have 
represented  the  entire  reserve  of  some  less  impor- 
tant establishments.  Godfrey  beheld  the  practical 
routine  going  on  about  him  without  being  able  to 
separate  the  real  from  the  unreal.  Finally,  the 
thought  of  Bertie,  his  loved  brother,  his  child- 
hood's hero,  his  pride  in  later  days,  associated 
itself  more  clearly  with  the  announcement  he  held 
in  his  hand.  A  mist  rose  between  him  and  the 
busy  throng  coming  and  going. 

He  attempted  to  rise,  that  he  might  shake  off 
what  still  appeared  to  him  a  frightful  nightmare. 
He  must  be  dreaming,  he  said ;  what  harm  could 
touch  Bertie  in  his  vigorous  manhood  ?  It  was 
senseless  to  say  he  was  drowned,  for  there  was  not 
a  swimmer  he  knew  anywhere  to  compare  with 
him !  Could  he  not  remember  how,  even  as  a  boy, 
he  had  excelled  his  comrades  in  endurance  and 


^A  mist  rose  between  him  and  the  h^isy  throng  coming 
and  going. ^^ 


A   MAN'S   COi^SCIEKCE.  131 

speed  in  competitions  of  skill  in  the  water  ?  Would 
be  be  likely,  even  if  the  victim  of  some  accident, 
to  succumb  when  others  gave  out  ?  It  could  not 
be !  There  was  absurdity  on  the  face  of  it !  He 
would  not  believe  that  such  an  unnatural  fate  had 
overtaken  Bertie  !  He  opened  the  other  envelope, 
and  found  the  cable  signed  by  Gwendolen.  This 
but  confirmed  the  solicitors^  business-like  despatch, 
and  again  begged  Godfrey  to  lose  no  time  in  com- 
ing to  them. 

Many  persons  had  come  and  gone  during  the 
few  minutes  of  Godfrey^s  bewilderment ;  one  or 
two  had  joined  him  on  the  bench  by  the  win- 
dow, and  one  transacting  business  at  the  counter 
had  observed  him  closely.  Godfrey  attempted 
to  reach  the  door,  but  he  felt  strangely  weak, 
almost  as  though  a  deadly  sickness  had  passed 
over  him  since  the  time  when  he  entered  the 
bank.  The  fatigue  of  his  recent  journey,  coupled 
with  the  grief  and  anxiety  he  had  already  under- 
gone, had  not  prepared  him  for  this  last  heavy 
blow.  He  passed  his  hand  across  his  eyes  to 
clear  them  of  the  blinding  mist  that  for  a  second 
shut  out  everything — even  light.  He  sank  again 
upon  the  leather-covered  bench,  looking  ill  and 
faint. 

The  clerk  who  had  at  first  recognized  him  and 
handed  him  his  letters  came  out  through  a  swing- 
ing gate  that  shut  in  the  executive  part  of  the 
bank  from  the  outer  thoroughfare,  and  offered 
Godfrey  a  glass  of  water,  while  the  young  man. 


132  A   MAK'S   COlsTSCIEKCE. 

who  had  apparently  recognized  him^  came  hastily 
forwards,  exclaiming, 

^^Why,  Alleyne,  my  dear  fellow,  I  thought  I 
knew  you !  But  what  on  earth  ails  you  ?  You 
look  as  though'  you  had  seen  a  ghost,  or  were 
dying  yourself  !  For  Heaven^s  sake  come  to  your 
senses,  and  try  to  tell  me  what  I  can  do  for  jou." 

Godfrey  gladly  took  the  offered  hand,  realizing 
that  his  friend  Alexander  Hope  had  opportunely 
appeared  from  somewhere,  and  would,  he  thought, 
aid  him  in  regaining  mastery  of  himself.  He 
pointed  to  the  open  messages  he  held  by  way  of 
explaining  what  he  could  not  yet  frame  in  words. 
His  companion  read  them,  as  indicated. 

^^  What  a  melancholy  end  for  poor  Bertie  V  he 
exclaimed  with  feeling  ;  ^^overwhelming,  indeed, 
in  its  suddenness.  I  don^t  wonder  you  are  knocked 
up  !  Any  one  would  be.  Come  out  into  the  air, 
and  I  will  walk  as  far  as  your  hotel  with  you, 
while  you  will  have  time  to  pull  yourself  together. 
It  is  a  bad  business  altogether.  I  noticed  the  death 
of  the  little  fellows  in  one  of  the  newspapers  a  few 
nights  ago,  and  was  not  altogether  surprised  to 
find  you  here.  On  your  way  to  Bainhurst,  I  sup- 
pose?'' 

The  young  man  talked  on  without  waiting  for  a 
reply,  giving  Godfrey  a  chance  to  indulge  in  his 
own  thoughts,  and  the  better  to  recover  control  of 
himself. 

Godfrey  never  forgot  that  walk.  It  seemed  to 
him  as  though  he  were  led,  rather  than  that  he 


A  MAK'S  COJSrSCIEJS'CE.  133 

proceeded  by  force  of  his  own  volition^  through  an 
endless  crowd  of  jostling,  pushing,  eager-faced 
beings.  'No  one  had  time  or  inclination  to  bestow 
even  a  passing  glance  upon  him.  He  seemed  but 
an  unimportant  atom  in  a  moving  mass  of  busy  life, 
or,  rather,  like  some  disembodied  spirit  that  could 
perceive  by  reason  of  some  added  sense,  and  yet 
could  not  be  seen.  The  roar  of  the  street,  scraps 
of  conversation,  the  tone  of  eager  voices,  the  brill- 
iant winter^s  light  glittering  upon  the  fa9ade  of 
many-storied  buildings,  the  youthful  messengers 
old  before  their  time  with  the  weight  of  important 
missions,  even  the  occasional  flash  of  a  woman^'s 
face  or  dress — all  wrote  themselves  in  indelible 
colors  on  his  excited  brain.  Years  afterwards  he 
could  have  recalled  even  the  features  of  certain 
individuals  of  that  throng. 

The  human  mind  is  so  receptive,  so  many-sided, 
so  complex,  that  who  can  limit  its  range  .^  In 
moments  like  these  there  is  roused  in  us  almost  a 
supernatural  activity  that  takes  cognizance  of  the 
most  trifling  detail  as  easily  as  it  notes  the  gravest 
facts.  A  strange  capacity  for  receiving  impres- 
sions seems  awakened ;  the  spiritual  and  the  com- 
monplace become  curiously  blended,  until  we  ap- 
pear, even  to  ourselves,  unreal. 

Observant  of  all  that  was  passing  around  him, 
Godfrey^s  mind  held  but  one  distinct  thought. 
How  should  he  approach  his  mother,  carrying  as 
he  did  this  weight  of  sorrow?  How  could  he  pre- 
pare her  for  this  added  calamity,  or  save  her  from 


134  A   MAi^'S   COl^SCIEKCE. 

the  crushing  power  of  the  shock  ?  He  turned  over 
in  his  mind  a  dozen  different  plans  for  breaking 
the  news  to  her,  but  each  seemed  more  cruel  than 
the  last.  She  was  already  weakened  by  a  long, 
forced  journey,  when  mental  distress  had  rendered 
her  least  able  to  encounter  fatigue.  He  looked  at 
his  watch.  There  was  scarcely  time  to  reach  the 
ship  before  the  hour  for  sailing.  Fearing  some 
worse  result  should  he  abruptly  announce  what 
had  befallen  them  and  with  no  time  to  soften  the 
tidings  by  preparation,  he  at  last  resolved  to  post- 
pone the  telling  of  his  sad  tale  until  they  were 
fairly  out  at  sea.  Possibly  by  that  time  his  mother 
would  have  regained  something  of  her  customary 
vigor,  and  be  better  able  to  meet  the  blow. 

Hope  had  meantime  explained  his  fortunate 
appearance.  He  was  on  his  way  westward,  he 
explained.  Indeed,  he  had  intended  to  look  up 
Godfrey  in  his  distant  home,  and  ask  his  advice 
about  investment  and  settling,  and  many  other 
matters  of  importance  to  himself. 

^^But  now,^^  he  continued,  ^^I  suppose  you  will 
scarcely  think  of  returning.  You  will  have  fin- 
ished with  farming  in  America  and  settle  down  on 
your  own  estates.  ^^ 

Godfrey  turned  almost  a  startled  face  upon  him. 

^^Not  return  ?^Mie  asked  curiously.  ^^Why, 
yes;  of  course  I  shall.  My  interests  are  all  in 
Minnesota.  I  have  no  thought  of  remaining  away. 
There  are  stronger  reasons  for  my  return  than 
you  perhaps  are  aware  of.^^ 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE.  135 

^^  There  were  reasons,  I  know,  but  I  fancied 
now  you  might  go  in  for  something  different.  A 
new  position  means  dijfferent  interests.  You  might 
scarcely  have  time  for  wheat  and  cattle  and  all 
that.^^ 

^^I  had  forgotten  for  a  moment/^  Godfrey  re- 
plied sadly.  '^  I  cannot  tell  what  my  plans  may 
be.  My  life  is  certainly  very  much  changed.  I 
may  not  be  as  free  as  in  past  days.  If  you  find 
yourself  near  ^Sydney^s^  at  any  time,  make  it 
your  home.  Use  the  place  as  though  it  belonged 
to  you.  I  have  not  said  a  final  farewell  to  it,  and 
I  hope  to  find  you  there  on  my  return.  I  am  sure 
to  go  back,^'  he  added  emphatically. 

Eeaching  the  door  of  the  hotel,  they  shook 
hands  cordially,  and  with  his  friend^s  last  words, 
^^  You  mustn^t  mind  my  congratulating  as  well  as 
sympathizing  with    you.  Lord    Galbraith,^^  still 

sounding  in  his  ears,  Godfrey  went  in  to  find  his 
mother. 


CHAPTER  XL 

A  CLOUDLESS  summer  sky  bent  over  the  domain 
of  Bainhurst ;  it  shone  upon  the  gray  turrets  of 
the  ancient  Castle,  and  touched  with  golden  light 
the  clinging  green  of  ivy-covered  towers.  Tender 
rays  sought  the  cool  dim  vistas  of  the  forest,  and 
laid  in  placid  warmth  on  meadow  and  upland. 
They  hovered  about  the  gardens  and  crept  upon 
the  terraces  approaching  the  house.  But  on  one 
side  the  shadow  of  the  great  irregular  pile  stretched, 
leaving  a  space  of  grateful  shade,  wherein  a  group 
of  four  persons  had  gathered  in  anticipation  of 
that  most  social  hour  devoted  to  afternoon  tea. 

The  party  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  the  well- 
trained  James  understood  his  duties  too  well  to 
appear  a  minute  late  with  his  tray  and  tea-kettle. 
This  function  was  usually  delegated  by  the  portly 
servitor  to  a  younger  member  of  the  establishment, 
but  of  late  he  had  laid  aside  some  of  the  dignity 
of  his  superior  office  in  view  of  the  family  afflic- 
tion. It  would  not  do  to  trust  the  serving  of  ^^my 
ladies  ^^  to  any  upstart  footman,  who  understood 
nothing  of  the  sympathy  conveyed  in  an  appropri- 
ately folded  napkin,  or  would  miss  his  opportuni- 
ties in  the  matter  of  handing  spoons. 

Placing  the  tray  before  the  youngest  member  of 


A   MAN'S  CONSCIElirCE.  137 

the  party — a  graceful  girl  with  shining  chestnut 
colored  hair — James  departed  in  the  same  auto- 
matic manner  in  which  he  had  appeared ;  silken 
hose,  brilliant  buttons,  and  powdered  hair  appearing 
but  an  embodiment  of  an  eternal  family  service. 
One  was  almost  led  to  question  the  probability  of 
that  dual  existence  which  includes  soul  in  regard- 
ing the  faithful  butler,  and  would  not  have  been 
surprised  if,  the  mechanism  giving  out  at  last,  he 
had  been  tinkered  up  to  serve  as  a  second-hand 
automaton  in  a  family  of  less  distinction. 

Nevertheless,  as  James  departed  with  measured 
tread  and  chin  well  up,  he  was  saying  to  himself, 
^^N'ow  that  the  hold  malady  and  the  young  m'lady 
ishable  to  hair  theirseFes  on  the  terris,  it  hap- 
pears  as  ^ow  Chawles  wouldn't  be  houter  place 
'andin'  tea/'  Having  arrived  at  this  dignified 
conclusion,  he  went  in  to  announce  the  same  in 
the  housekeeper's  room. 

Gwendolen  was  at  this  moment  remarking,  with 
the  most  indulgent  of  smiles  as  she  glanced  at  God- 
frey stretched  upon  the  grass,  ^^  I  do  believe,  God- 
frey, that  you  grow  more  indolent  every  day  ! 
You  positively  have  let  me  carry  the  bread-plate 
twice  to  Lilian,  and  have  never  offered  to  stir  from 
your  indulgent  attitude.  Will  you  have  one  lump 
or  two  ?  " 

^^Two;  thanks  awfully.  lam  restraining  my- 
self to  please  you,  dear  girl.  You  know  your 
chief  source  of  happiness  lies  in  these  small  acts  of 
self-abnegation.    I  should  consider  myself  personi- 


138  A  MAH'S  CONSCIENCE. 

fied  selfishness  to  deprive  you  of  the  privilege  of 
carrying  bread  to  Lilian  or  tea  to  my  mother, 
sacrifice  though  it  is  to  me.  By  the  way,  what 
may  I  do  for  you  ?     Try  some  tea-cake  ? '' 

^'  No,  I  cannot  be  coaxed/^  replied  Gwendolen, 
smiling.  '^  Here,  old  fellow,  come  to  tea,^^  she 
called  to  a  beautiful  Irish  setter,  that  at  a  little 
distance  waited  with  wistful  eyes  the  signal  to 
approach.  Taking  up  his  place  at  his  mistresses 
feet,  he  received  the  daintily  folded  morsels  of 
bread  that  were  his  portion  of  the  repast. 

"  I  believe  you  would  go  without  your  meals 
to  make  any  one — even  Boncoeur  —  happy,  ^^  re- 
marked Lilian  languidly. 

She  was  lying  rather  than  sitting  in  a  long  wil- 
low chair,  supported  by  numerous  cushions  of 
delicate  tints.  Her  sad  young  face  and  wasted 
figure  told  in  every  line  the  pathetic  story  of  her 
broken  life.  She  was  dressed  in  a  long  soft  gown 
of  white,  and  reminded  one  of  those  fragile  garden 
lilies  that  are  so  beautiful  in  their  short  day,  but 
can  withstand  no  blast  of  storm  or  tempest. 

Stricken  to  the  earth  by  the  loss  of  her  children, 
there  seemed  little  hope  of  her  recovery.  After 
weeks  of  ceaseless  watching,  she  returned  to  a  con- 
sciousness that  was  again  to  be  clouded,  if  not  de- 
stroyed, by  the  knowledge  of  her  husband^s  death. 
For  weeks  her  life  hung  by  that  fragile  thread 
that  is  ready  to  evade  even  the  most  watchful  care. 

Gwendolen  was  her  constant  companion  in  those 
days,  guarding  with  sisterly  devotion  every  sign  of 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  139 

reviving  strength  and  nourishing  each  symptom  of 
renewed  health.  Lilian's  youth  could  be  counted 
upon  to  do  more  towards  her  restoration  than  skill 
of  practised  healer,  and  to  this  Gwendolen  clung 
when  wise  doctors  shook  their  heads.  Even  when 
her  aunt^s  return  demanded  from  her  a  divided 
duty,  she  did  not  relinquish  her  place  beside 
Lilian.  Tenderly  she  nursed  her  back  to  life  and 
strength,  until  to-day,  for  the  first  time,  she  en- 
joyed the  reward  of  seeing  her  once  more  in  her 
place  among  them. 

Those  had  been  trying  months  of  ceaseless 
anxiety,  and  there  was  little  wonder  that  traces  of 
care  were  visible  even  in  Gwendolen's  youthful  face. 
She  was  slighter  in  form  than  before  the  days  of 
their  trial,  but  had  lost  nothing  of  her  grace  and 
personal  charm  thereby.  As  she  bent  over  the 
tea-tray,  in  her  simple  dress  of  clinging  black,  she 
looked  more  lovely  than  ever  before.  Godfrey,  ex- 
amining her  critically,  must  have  ^been  struck 
with  the  fact,  for  he  vouchsafed  the  frank  opinion 
that  ^^it  became  Gwen  to  look  a  little  pale  and 
interesting,"  and  impudently  demanded  ^"^how  she 
managed  the  violet  pencillings  about  her  eyes  ? " 
For  reply  he  heard  that  his  manners  had  not  im- 
proved during  his  absence,  and  if  this  could  be 
attributed  to  the  freedom  of  the  West,  a  more 
conventional  existence  must  be  preferred.  Turn- 
ing to  her  aunt,  Gwendolen  questioned  if  ^^  the 
bond  of  cousinship  also  included  that  of  critic  and 
mentor  ?  ^' 


140  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

Lady  Galbraith^  leaning  back  against  her  cush- 
ioned chair,  regarded  her  children  with  an  habitual 
smile,  of  affectionate  indulgence.  The  smile,  how- 
ever, remained  curiously  fixed,  changing  only  when 
she  was  directly  addressed.  She  looked  older  and 
less  vigorous  than  before  her  journey  to  the  New 
World.  A  strong  crutch-stick  resting  beside  her 
chair  suggested  growing  infirmities. 

She  had  never  recovered  from  the  shock  of  her 
son^s  death,  following  as  it  did  a  mental  strain 
that  had  encroached  upon  her  powers  oi  resistance. 
She  had  sunk  under  the  blow,  nerveless,  power- 
less, prostrate.  Her  coming  home  had  been  a 
blank  page  in  her  memory,  and  only  by  degrees 
had  events  shaped  themselves  again  in  her  remem- 
brance. She  never  willingly  referred  to  her  expe- 
rience in  America.  And,  indeed,  that  time  was 
associated  with  so  much  that  was  painful,  that 
both  Godfrey  and  Gwendolen  had  learned  not  to 
dwell  upon  it. 

She  had  not  spoken  of  Milly  to  either  of  them, 
and  any  reference  to  Godfrey's  possible  return  to 
America  awakened  an  irritability  that  acted  ad- 
versely upon  her  physical  condition.  They  had 
become  used  to  indulging  her  whims  and  humor- 
ing her  passing  moods,  much  as  one  yields  to  the 
fancies  of  a  delicate  child. 

With  an  effort  to  speak  naturally,  she  replied 
to  Gwendolen,  ^^  You  mustn't  mind  what  Godfrey 
says.  Have  you  forgotten  what  a  tease  he  used  to 
be  when  you  were  children  together  ?    You  never 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  141 

appealed  to  me  in  those  days,  but  settled  all  your 
little  disputes  with  each  other.  You  surely  haven't 
outgrown  the  old  sympathies  ?  '^ 

JSTo,  Gwendolen  hoped  they  had  not,  but  had  she 
questioned  herself  more  closely,  she  would  have 
had  to  admit  that  a  sense  of  reserve  had  grown  up 
between  them  that  had  not  existed  in  those  old 
days.  Whose  fault  it  was  she  could  not  have  told, 
but  she  realized  that  for  some  reason  the  boy-and- 
girl  confidence  no  longer  endured. 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  the  power  of  mind  to 
bridge  all  distances,  and  to  live,  by  the  force  of 
imagination  only,  the  life  of  those  from  whom  we 
are  apart,  the  fact  remains  that  immediate  inter- 
ests are  more  completely  absorbing.  They  often 
are  able  to  dull  the  actuality  of  a  more  remote  com- 
munion, and  lessen  in  some  degree  the  realization 
of  personal  responsibility  naturally  felt  towards 
those  from  whom  we  are  separated. 

Godfrey  did  not  forget  Milly.  He  would  have 
said  that  her  memory  played  as  important  a  part 
in  his  every-day  existence  as  her  presence  had  a 
few  months  previous.  The  thought  of  her  still 
governed  his  life  and  influenced  his  plans.  In- 
deed, his  thoughts  turned  to  her  as  a  source  of 
blessed  relief  in  the  days  of  perplexity  that  fol- 
lowed his  home-coming.  He  found  repose  in 
dwelling  upon  that  simple  life  of  which  she  had  been 
a  part.  He  experienced  that  sensation  of  refresh- 
ment that  one  might  feel  in  ceasing  to  trace  the 
intricate  pattern  of  a  tapestried  wall,  turning  from 


142  A   MAN'S   COi^rSCIENCE. 

its  complicated  design  to  the  open  glory  of  field 
and  woodland. 

There  was  a  reviving  freshness  in  the  memory 
even  of  her  ringing  laugh  and  the  changing  light 
of  her  loving  eyes.  Godfrey  told  himself  over  and 
over  that  he  waited  impatiently  for  the  moment 
when  he  should  be  free  to  go  to  her.  He  drew  pic- 
tures in  his  imagination  of  that  time :  how  he 
would  arrive  one  day  at  Sandy's^  no  word  prepar- 
ing Milly  for  his  coming,  and,  riding  to  the  very 
door  unannounced,  would  perhaps  hear  the  strains 
of  ^'  Dinna  forget,  laddie  "  plaintively  sung,  and 
would  know  that  she  was  thinking  of  her  own 
laddie  and  longing  for  his  coming.  Then  quietly 
he  would  slip  in,  and,  while  she  still  lamented, 
throw  both  arms  around  her,  watching  the  light 
of  welcome  dawn  in  her  eyes,  and  yet  grow  dim 
with  a  mist  of  joyful  tears.  He  could  almost  hear 
her  voice  and  feel  her  clinging  arms.  At  such 
moments  he  grew  impatient  of  all  that  stood  in  the 
way  of  their  reunion.  Even  Sandy^s  unshorn 
locks  and  neglected  dress  would  have  been  wel- 
come adjuncts  could  they  have  appeared  beside  the 
portrait  so  often  framed  in  his  mind. 

But  his  thoughts  did  not  stop  here.  Milly 
must  be  transplanted  from  that  home  in  the  West, 
he  said.  She  must  learn  to  thrive  in  a  soil  she  had 
not  grown  in ;  she  must  breathe  an  air  she  was 
not  born  to  ;  she  must  be  cut  off  from  all  past  as- 
sociations— Hannah,  the  ^^  help,^^  even  Sandy  him- 
self.    She  must  assimilate  the  different  claims  of 


A  MAWS  CONSCIENCE.  143 

a  new  existence.  Nothing  must  be  left  of  the  old, 
but  in  its  place  she  would  find  ease,  luxury, 
wealth,  a  position  women  might  envy,  and,  above  all, 
the  devotion  promised  her  in  the  beginning.  Yes, 
there  was  but  one  way  :  the  wheat  farm  must  be 
abandoned  for  an  English  home  ;  a  humble  life 
filled  with  deprivation  must  be  exchanged  for  one 
of  inherited  luxury.  The  plans  they  had  laid  for 
improving  Godfrey^s  farm  until  it  should  be  the 
envy  of  the  neighborhood,  the  pride  of  the  State, 
had  lost  their  importance  in  his  estimation.  In- 
deed, they  were  already  forgotten. 

He  would  bring  Milly  home  to  storied  lands, 
where  every  rood  could  tell  its  tale  of  romance  and 
had  added  a  page  to  history ;  to  a  roof  that  had 
been  the  refuge  of  kings  ;  to  a  fireside  that  the 
rulers  of  men  had  shared.  Stranger  things  had 
happened ;  and  who  would  say  he  transgressed 
the  prestige  of  his  ancestry  by  marrying  the  woman 
he  loved  ? 

Besides,  there  was  his  promise  to  Milly ;  and  did 
not  this  forestall  all  questions?  Moreover,  he 
loved  her,  and  that  would  alone  bind  him, 
though  thousands  of  miles  parted,  and  barriers 
sterner  than  any  material  ones  divided  them. 

He  had  fallen  into  a  habit  of  reasoning  with 
himself  that,  had  his  mind  been  analytical, 
would  have  suggested  a  certain  distrust  of  his  own 
loyalty. 

Sometimes  he  was  on  the  point  of  confiding  his 
perplexities  to  Gwendolen.     He  remembered  how 


144  A   MAi^'S  CONSCIENCE. 

he  had  in  more  youthful  days  relied  upon  her 
counsel,  and  been  led  by  her  judgment ;  but  he 
was  withheld  by  a  subtle  misgiving,  or  rather  by 
an  intuitive  desire  to  preserve  whatever  remained 
of  their  old-time  comradeship.  He  could  not  haz- 
ard the  withdrawal  of  her  sympathy,  or  risk  the 
loss  of  her  approbation.  Some  reflections  of  this 
kind  were  passing  through  Godfrey^s  mind  as  he 
listened  to  his  mother  and  cousin  that  day  on  the 
terrace. 

^^  I  can^t  tell  where  Godfrey^s  thoughts  are  of 
late,^^  Gwendolen  rejoined  with  heightened  color. 
^^  He  walks  with  his  head  among  the  stars,  as  the 
ancients  did.  Half  the  time  when  one  addresses 
him  one  receives  by  way  of  answer  an  indulgent 
smile,  as  though  words  had  played  upon  his  under- 
standing as  sunshine  does  on  steel,  and  had  pene- 
trated only  as  far.^^ 

^^I  do  not  deserve  so  classic  a  comparison,  my 
dear  cousin,  I  assure  you.  Yet  if  by  holding  my 
head  so  high  I  could  read  the  future  as  the  old 
soothsayers  did,  I  am  not  sure  but  that  I  would 
run  the  risk  of  stumbling  here  below.^^ 

^^Why  are  you  so  anxious  to  see  beyond  the 
present  ?^^  his  mother  asked,  with  her  slow  effort 
at  mental  concentration.  ^^  Hasn't  each  day  a 
sufficient  sum  of  joys,  cares,  and  responsibilities  ? 
What  load  of  premonition  are  you  longing  to  lift 
to  your  shoulders  ?  Your  path  in  life  would  ap- 
pear most  happily  defined,  and  all  that  can  be  re- 
quired  is  that,  following  the  admonition  of  our 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  145 

motto,  you  ^Look  to  the  end/  Now  that  Lilian 
and  I  are  better/^  she  continued,  ^'^and  you  freed 
from  a  burden  of  anxiety,  you  will  take  up  the 
many  duties,  as  well  as  social  pleasures,  that  await 
you.  When  the  days  are  filled  with  crowding 
plans,  and  the  nights  with  society's  claims,  you 
will  feel  no  inclination  to  question  the  stars,  and 
the  future  may  be  trusted  to  take  care  of  itself. 
You  will  be  thinking  of  the  tenants'  ball  soon  ? '' 
she  asked.  ^'^They  are  expecting  it  as  usual,  now 
that  the  first  period  of  our  mourning  is  at  an  end. 
I  am  sure  dear  Lilian  will  think  it  best  for  our 
people  that  all  should  go  on  as  usual.'' 

^^  I  shall  wish  Godfrey  to  carry  out  every  plan 
that  his  brother  had  formed  for  the  welfare  of  his 
tenantry,"  Lilian  replied,  yet  the  words  were  not 
spoken  without  an  effort. 

'^  Gwendolen  will  be  your  right  hand  in  every 
arrangement,"  said  Lady  Galbraith,  smiling  upon 
her  niece.  ^^  Her  knowledge  of  how  to  please  the 
farmers  and  their  families,  the  school-children  and 
their  teachers,  the  parish  and  the  priest,  is  noth- 
ing short  of  intuition.  To  see  her  holding  the 
tiniest  child  in  a  merry-go-round  or  talking  of 
school  organization  with  the  curate,  to  watch  her 
pouring  tea  for  the  old  women  or  providing  to- 
bacco for  the  pensioners,  would  convince  you  that 
she  is  never  more  in  her  element  than  when  at  the 
head  of  some  such  function." 

^^An  enviable  adaptability,  truly,"  answered 
Godfrey,  laughing.     ^^  It  ought  to  be  utilized.     I 

10 


146  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

could  not  be  guilty  of  allowing  such  resources  to 
lie  fallow.  When  shall  we  begin  to  plan  the  feast, 
Gwen  ?  The  children  come  first,  I  suppose  ? 
Shall  we  walk  over  and  consult  the  Eev.  Wynd- 
man  as  to  the  youngsters^  capacity  for  buns,  and 
ask  when  a  prolonged  fit  of  indigestion  would  be 
least  likely  to  interfere  with  the  discipline  of  the 
school  ?^^ 

Gwendolen  acquiesced  pleasantly,  and  went  in 
to  get  her  hat. 


CHAPTER  XIL 

Their  way  lay  through  a  plantation  of  young 
larches  that  skirted  the  park  on  one  side^  while  at 
irregular  distances  the  growth  of  an  older  forest 
connected  the  copse^  stretching  all  the  way  be- 
tween the  immediate  domain  of  Bainhurst  and 
the  village  of  that  name  lying  some  distance  be- 
yond. 

This  was  a  familiar  walk  to  Godfrey  and  his 
cousin.  They  had  known  every  inch  of  the  way 
since  their  earliest  remembrance.  It  could  not 
fail  to  recall  some  of  the  light-heartedness  felt  in 
childhood,  when  they  had  started  together,  as  now, 
for  a  walk  through  the  wood. 

This  was  the  first  time  the  two  had  found  them- 
selves alone,  since  Godfrey^s  return,  without  the 
necessity  for  dwelling  upon  those  grave  anxieties 
that  had  recently  oppressed  them.  But  the  need 
for  such  discussion  might  now,  they  realized,  give 
place  to  more  personal  interests;  and  yet  they 
both  were  silent. 

With  a  long  sigh  that  ended  in  a  smile  of  con- 
tent, Gwendolen  took  off  her  hat,  that  she  might 
feel  the  full  sweetness  of  the  soft  summer  air.  Re- 
garding her  companion,  she  observed  that  he,  too, 
had  abandoned  himself  to  the  full  enjoyment  of 


148  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

the  moment.  Eecent  sad  events  evidently  had  no 
part  in  his  memory  as  he  kept  pace  beside  his 
cousin  in  the  narrow  woodland  way. 

The  sun,  already  low  in  the  heavens,  was  send- 
ing long  yellow  shafts  of  light  across  the  green 
expanse  of  park  ;  it  filtered  through  the  lace-like 
foliage  of  the  larches,  falling  in  soft  arabesque  on 
the  path  before  them.  The  only  sounds  audible 
were  the  busy  twittering  of  birds  making  ready 
for  their  nightly  rest,  or  now  and  then  the  quick 
scramble  of  a  squirrel,  or  the  flutter  of  a  pheasant 
in  the  undergrowth.  The  scene  was  peaceful,  re- 
poseful, soothing  ;  a  night  one  might  enjoy  with- 
out recourse  to  speech  ;  a  time  when  Nature  lays 
her  hand  upon  one,  softly  singing  all  the  old  lulla- 
bies. For  a  space  every  care  seems  lifted,  and  we 
rest  content  upon  her  breast,  calm,  hopeful,  with 
an  infantas  unquestioning  repose. 

At  first  the  cousins  spoke  but  little,  and  then 
not  of  themselves.  There  were  changes  for  God- 
frey to  note ;  he  had  been  seldom  at  Bainhurst 
since  finishing  his  schooldays. 

There  were  new  plantations  meantime  ;  some  of 
the  old  trees  felled  to  make  way  for  a  more  vigor- 
ous uplifting.  The  pheasants  promised  well ; 
there  would  be  excellent  sport ;  they  must  be 
thinking  of  making  up  the  guns.  Godfrey  had 
not  consulted  the  gamekeepers  yet,  but  had  more 
than  once  been  over  to  the  far  wood  to  visit  Scotch 
Warlock.  He  was  now  too  feeble  to  leave  his 
lodge,  but,  as  he  had  for  the  last  fifteen  years  and 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE.  149 

more,  promised  to  be  ready  for  the  First.  Like 
an  old  war-horse,  he  never  knew  when  his  day 
was  done.  lie  was  as  full  as  ever  of  reminiscences, 
and  could  laugh  with  the  same  chuckle  of  satisfac- 
tion over  certain  ^^bags^Vof  his  remembrance,  as 
he  presumably  had  on  the  days  when  he  had  as- 
sisted in  making  them.  Had  Gwendolen  seen  him 
lately?  He  had  been  asking  about  ^Hhe  young 
thing  with  the  glintin^  locks."" 

Gwendolen  smiled. 

^^Ah,  yes;  Warlock  and  I  are  fast  friends.  I 
cannot  be  quite  positive,  however,  that  his  affec- 
tion is  wholly  disinterested.  As  soon  as  I  am 
fairly  seated  at  his  hearth,  and  all  detail  is  ex- 
hausted as  to  the  well-being  of  the  various  mem- 
bers of  the  family,  his  interest  invariably  settles 
about  one  topic.  He  remarks  absently  how  im- 
possible it  is  in  our  day  to  procure  desirable 
tobacco.  In  his  own  words,  ^  The  baccy  nowadays 
is  nae  better^n  chaff,  and  ha^  nae  mair  taste  than 
hay-seed.  ^Twan^t  like  this  ance  upon  a  time,^  he 
avers,  laying  his  rheumatic  hand  on  a  collapsed 
pouch.  ^^ 

^^  Alas  !  what  is  as  it  was  ^  once  upon  a  time '  ? '' 
rejoined  Godfrey.  ^^  Poor  old  Warlock  !  We  are 
but  chorus  to  your  oft-repeated  lament.  Yet  to- 
night one  is  beguiled  into  saying  that  noio  is  better 
than  any  vague  beginning  of  the  tale  told  by 
the  fireside  or  lived  in  the  light  of  experience. 
The  glamour  of  knights  and  armor,  of  fairies  and 
godmothers,  of  charms  and  magic  spells,  loses  some 


150  A  MAN'S  COlirSCIEKCE. 

of  its  enchantment  as  time  goes  on.  Yet  I  fancy 
each  one  of  us  keeps  some  favorite  fable  beginning 
^Once  upon  a  time/  that  we  fondly  hope  may  end 
as  did  that  of  the  prince  and  the  maiden  in  the 
romance  of  ^  Briar  Eose/ '' 

A  faint  rose-tint  crept  into  Gwendolen's  cheeks 
as  she  listened.  What  did  her  cousin^'s  words  sug- 
gest ?  Of  what  was  he  thinking  ?  Had  she,  too, 
her  fairy-tale  begun  in  the  old,  old  fashion  ?  She 
did  not  acknowledge,  even  to  herself,  that  it  was 
so,  but  there  was  something  in  the  quiet  walk  with 
her  cousin  through  the  familiar  wood  that  woke 
memories  she  loved  to  dwell  upon. 

^^But  your  favorite  tales  were  never  those  of 
sleeping  beauties  and  enchanted  kingdoms, '^  said 
Gwendolen,  indulging  in  pleasant  retrospect. 
^^  Your  stories  all  began  with  flashing  steel  and  ended 
in  bloodshed,  and  when  there  was  not  enough  of  the 
latter  to  satisfy  your  taste  for  carnage — you  were 
singularly  bloodthirsty,  you  remember,  Godfrey — 
you  invented  harrowing  situations,  in  which  you 
largely  figured.  Coming,  I  remember,  to  the  rescue 
of  the  helpless,  you  performed  feats  unknown  to 
any  belligerent  save  an  imaginative  schoolboy. ''' 

Glancing  at  the  slight,  graceful  girl  at  his  side, 
who,  with  flushed  cheeks  and  flashing  eyes,  related 
the  incidents  of  that  time,  of  which  she  had  uncon- 
sciously made  the  vital  point,  Godfrey  completed 
the  suggested  picture  in  his  own  mind  :  she  curled 
up  on  the  hearthrug  before  the  great  fire  that 
burned  in  the  oak-panelled  hall  ;  he  stretched  at 


A   MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE.  151 

full  length  iu  the  warm  light,  listening  to  some 
older  voice  relating  familiar  tales.  Those  won- 
drous romances  of  childhood  ! — old  only  in  time. 
Never  worn  in  freshness  to  each  generation,  that 
marvels,  and  lays  unknowingly  the  foundation  of 
honor,  sentiment,  and  chivalry  ! 

^^Gwen,  you  haven't  changed  one  bit  in  all 
these  years  !  You  are  still  as  fresh-hearted,  as 
•impulsive,  and  as  trustful  as  a  child  !  I  have 
almost  a  mind  to  tell  you  a  story,  just  to  see  your 
eyes  grow  dark  and  to  hold  you  spellbound,  as  in 
the  old  days.  Shall  I  ? ''''  he  asked  impulsively. 
^^  Ah,  do,  Godfrey,  tell  me  a  story.'' 
^^  Once  upon  a  time,  then,  far,  far  away,  there 
lived  a  maiden — very  sweet,  very  gentle,  very 
beautiful  to  look  upon.  Eyes  that  met  one's  own 
fearlessly,  for  they  had  never  learned  to  be  afraid ; 
blue  they  were,  blue  like  harebells,  yet  radiant  as 
the  sky.  Hair  in  which  the  sunlight  got  entan- 
gled, and  skin  like  a  tinted  cloud  at  sunrise.  Her 
form,  too,  embodied  all  grace,  for  it  was  faultless, 
like  a  Greek  model's.  She  appeared,  perhaps,  all 
the  more  beautiful  by  reason  of  her  surroundings, 
which  were  sordid,  ugly,  prosaic,  even  poor.  'No 
one  about  her  realized  her  beauty,  although  she 
was  the  only  lovely  thing  in  all  their  homely  lives. 
No  one  regarded  her  growing  and  blossoming  to 
attractive  womanhood,  because  no  one  had  time  to 
dwell  upon  the  gentle  suggestion  of  her  being,  or 
to  spend  a  thought  upon  anything  save  the  daily 
treadmill  of  each  day's  needs.     So  the  young  girl 


152  A   MAK'S   COKSCIENCE. 

might  as  well  have  been  chained  to  a  rock  in  the 
open  sea,  with  sea-birds  her  only  companions,  so 
far  as  any  human  sympathy  touched  her,  or  insight 
into  her  real  self  existed. 

''  One  day  there  came  to  her  home  on  this  deso- 
late island,  we  will  call  it,  a  young  man  from  the 
outer  world — a  youth  filled  with  hope  and  energy, 
with  some  experience  and  much  ambition/^ 

''  A  prince  ?^^  questioned  Gwendolen. 

"  Well,  a  prince,  if  you  will,  for  the  sake  of  old 
days.  A  man  born  in  a  different  sphere,  certainly, 
but  without  the  knowledge  then  of  what  that  sim- 
ple phrase  would  one  day  mean. 

^^In  circumstance,  condition,  and  present  en- 
deavors, no  more  than  any  young  man  who  at- 
tempts to  conquer  a  way  in  the  world  for  himself, 
and  by  chance  stumbles  upon  an  unknown  track. 
So  far  the  life  he  had  adopted  seemed  singularly 
devoid  of  human  sympathy.  He  had  almost  been 
driven  to  the  conclusion  that  the  charm  of  woman^s 
influence  had  been  left  behind,  when  he  entered 
upon  it. 

^^  One  summer's  morning,  when  he  came  upon 
this  fair-haired  maiden  with  the  marvellous  blue 
eyes,  he  seemed  to  have  snatched  once  more  a 
glimpse  of  paradise.  He  intended  no  harm,  we 
will  say.     That,  too,  is  a  part  of  the  fireside  tales. 

^^  She  was,  until  now,  ignorant  of  her  own  im- 
prisonment, never  realizing  that  she  was  enchained  ; 
yet,  when  release  seemed  possible,  she  gladly  wel- 
comed a  promise  of  change  from  her  irksome  posi- 


A  MAN'S   COiTSCIENCE.  153 

tion.  Her  frank  gladness  and  smile  of  welcome 
were  not  without  their  effect.  A  man  is  a  fool  to 
play  with  his  own  heart.  He  deserves  all  the  tor- 
ture brought  upon  himself  when  he  yields  to  the 
allurement  of  a  pretty  face,  and  lays  the  snare  for 
his  own  capture  !  '^ 

"  This  is  a  fairy  tale,  is  it  not,  cousin  Godfrey  T^ 

^^  Ah  !  yes,  a  fairy  tale,^^  replied  her  companion 
a  little  impatiently.  ''  I  mustn't  forget  that  I  am 
trying  to  beguile  the  way  as  we  were  accustomed 
when  children.  I  am  getting  prosy,  I  fear ;  you 
will  prefer  the  memory  of  nurse  and  the  won- 
ders she  could  relate  as  well  sleeping  as  waking, 
for  all  we  did  when  she  nodded  was  to  prod  her 
fat  chin,  and  on  she  went  like  a  mechanical  toy.'^ 

^^  Your  story  is  not  without  interest,  cousin  God- 
frey. I  am  listening  with  all  my  ears  to  hear  the 
end.  Whether  the  prince  carried  off  his  lady  fair 
one  night  from  the  postern  gate — for  I  am  sure 
that  she  was  a  princess  in  disguise,  and  that  there 
was  a  castle  and  a  postern.  Horses,  too,  tied  in 
the  shadow  of  great  spreading  yews,  and  dark 
clouds  chasing  one  another  across  the  pale  silver 
moon.'^ 

^^  Ko,  that  is  just  it,^^  Godfrey  rejoined  eagerly. 
"  That  is  the  part  not  analogous.  I  almost  wish 
it  were  !  There  is  a  satisfaction  sometimes  in  fol- 
lowing trite  paths,  even  to  the  end.  But  in  real 
life— ^^ 

^''In  real  life?  You  forget.  You  are  telling 
me  fairy  tales  ?  ^^ 


154  A  MAN'S  conscie:nce. 

^^No,  I  do  not  forget.  But,  Gwen,  there  is  no 
use — '^  He  had  turned,  and  stood  facing  her  in 
the  narrow  path.  He  took  both  her  cold  hands  in 
his  impulsively,  as  though  demanding  her  sympathy 
beforehand,  that  he  might  have  strength  to  tell 
her  what  remained  of  his  story.  She  had  grown 
quite  white,  but  looked  up  into  his  eyes  with  the 
restrained  expression  of  one  who  is  trying  to  still 
a  mortal  pain. 

^^  I  must  tell  you  the  whole  of  the  miserable 
complication.  You  must  know  all,  that  you  may 
help  me.  You  will  advise — perhaps  rescue  me — 
as  you  used  ^once  upon  a  time.^^^ 

His  lips  trembled,  and  she  laid  one  of  her  hands 
over  his,  as  a  mother  encourages  a  child  to  con- 
tinue his  confession. 

^^  It  was  very  lonely  out  there,  ^^  he  went  on  des- 
perately. '^  I  missed  my  old  life  more  than  I  can 
tell  you — more  even  than  I  knew.  The  days  seemed 
cheerless,  suddenly  shorn  of  the  society  of  women 
and  every  social  interest.  There  were  few  refining 
influences.  A  man  wearies  after  a  time  of  the  so- 
ciety of  men ;  and  there,  where  the  sole  topics  of 
mutual  interest  centre  in  the  farm  and  the  weather, 
you  can  imagine  how  weary  I  grew.  In  conse- 
quence I  indulged  myself  oftener,  perhaps,  than 
was  wise  in  visits  to  my  pretty  neighbor.  Milly 
enchanted  me  with  her  soft  ways  and  her  depre- 
cating, confiding  manner.  The  days  went  swiftly, 
and  I  realized  only  that  we  were  happy  together. 
A  new  light,  too,  seemed  to  dawn  in  her  blue  eyes. 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIEi^CE.  155 

and  one  day  I  knew  that  she  loved  me.  I  do  not 
wish  to  dwell  upon  it.  You  must  be  tired  of  the 
story.  All  the  rest  is  comprised  in  a  few  words. 
We  became  engaged  to  be  married.  ^^ 

Gwendolen  visibly  trembled,  but  Godfrey  was 
too  absorbed  to  notice  the  effect  his  words  produced. 

^^I  did  not  realize  that  I  might  be  doing  her  a 
wrong  in  this,  until  that  day  in  New  York  when 
Aleck  Hope  spoke  of  my  giving  up  my  project  in 
the  West.  I  had  never  pictured  such  an  array  of 
circumstances.  I  had  expected  to  pass  all  my  days 
in  America.  I  wished  to  identify  myself  with  the 
country,  and  centre  my  interests  there.  My  profes- 
sion had  always  been  a  source  of  outlay  rather  than 
a  means  of  support.  I  had  determined  to  resign  it, 
and  to  take  up  a  more  vigorous  means  of  bettering 
my  fortunes.  I  had  looked  forward  to  Bertie's 
long  life  and  the  succession  of  his  son.  It  had 
never  occurred  to  me  that  one  day  I  might  stand 
in  their  place,  and  by  sheer  force  of  circumstance 
be  called  upon  suddenly  to  abandon  my  own 
schemes  ;  that  I  would  be  obliged  to  consider  every- 
thing pertaining  to  the  future  from  a  totally 
changed  standpoint. 

^^  My  mother — far-seeing,  almost  prophetic — had 
used  every  argument  to  induce  me  to  give  up  my 
interests  in  America  and  return  home.  She  had, 
I  now  know,  even  appealed  to  Milly  in  order  to 
bring  about  this  end.  What  the  result  of  that  in- 
terview was  I  have  never  known.  It  transpired 
on  that  fateful  day  when  we  heard  of  the  children's 


156  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

death,  and,  as  you  know,  my  mother  has  never 
been  able  to  bear  the  slightest  allusion  to  that  time 
of  sorrow/^ 

^^ButMilly?^^ 

^^That  is  the  singular  part,  and  almost  convinces 
me  that  some  promise  was  exacted  from  her  that 
day,  for,  from  that  time  to  this,  I  have  never  heard 
from  her.  No  word  in  her  own  handwriting,  or 
message  of  any  kind,  has  ever  reached  me.  When 
I  drove  away  from  the  Cross  Roads  that  dark,  cold 
dawn,  I  might  as  well  have  been  driving  from  a 
closed  grave,  so  far  as  receiving  any  sign  from 
Milly  is  concerned.  ^^ 

^^Andyou?'' 

^^I  have  done  all  that  man  can  do,  save  go  to 
her;  the  impossibility  of  that  you  will  under- 
stand. I  have  supplemented  my  letter  of  farewell, 
written  that  night  of  our  departure,  with  others 
equally  long,  affectionate,  and  faithful.  I  have 
implored  her  to  break  the  silence  that  is  so  inex- 
plicable ;  to  send  a  word  of  love  or  rebuke,  as  she 
will,  but  no  longer  to  leave  me  in  this  state  of 
suspense.  ^^ 

^^  My  poor  boy !  What  you  must  have  suf- 
fered ! '' 

Godfrey  moved  his  shoulders  with  a  gesture  of 
impatience.  He  did  not  like  these  pitying  words 
spoken  by  Gwendolen.  Somehow  they  jarred 
upon  him.  He  had  indeed  asked  for  sympathy  ; 
he  had  supposed  this  to  be  the  object  of  his  con- 
fession ;   and  yet,  now  when   he  heard   her  even 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE.  157 

voice^  with  its  thrill  of  restrained  emotion,  he 
blamed  himself  for  having  appeared  before  her  in 
the  light  of  an  anxious  but  neglected  lover.  The 
position  was  not  heroic,  nor  one  calculated  to  ele- 
vate him  in  her  eyes.  Af  fcer  all,  he  did  not  know 
that  he  cared  to  be  commiserated  by  a  woman  ! 

So  inconsistent  are  we,  in  the  moment  of  our 
best  attainment !  Dropping  the  semi-romantic  and 
coming  back  with  a  bound  to  the  commonplace  : 

^^  Kot  exactly  suffered,  you  know,  Gwen  ;  but 
there  is  no  denying  that  it  is  deuced  uncomfort- 
able for  a  man  not  to  know  whether  he  is  thrown 
over  or  not.  If  Milly  wants  to  get  rid  of  me,  why 
doesn^t  she  write  and  say  so  ?  Talk  about  the  sim- 
plicity of  a  primitive  people  !  They  are  as  much 
more  complicated  in  their  way  of  arriving  at 
simple  ends  as  telegraphy  exceeds  ordinary  letter- 
writing  in  intricacy.  It  is  astonishing  how  a  girl, 
who  apparently  hadn^t  a  design  deeper  than  the 
reflection  of  her  own  face  in  a  shallow  pool,  can 
manage  to  keep  a  man  on  tenter-hooks  for  the 
better  part  of  a  twelvemonth  !  ^^ 

Gwendolen  had  withdrawn  her  hand,  and  again 
they  walked  on  side  by  side.  She  failed  to  com- 
prehend her  companion's  words,  but  her  womanly 
nature  induced  her  still  to  endeavor  to  aid 
him  in  understanding  himself.  She  must  not 
consider  her  position,  or  stoop  even  to  think  of  the 
pain  in  her  own  sore  heart.  She  must  try,  with 
the  power  of  her  old  intuition,  to  establish  God- 
frey once  more  in  his  own  self-esteem. 


158  A  MAN'S  coiq-sciEi^rcE. 

He  was  ruffled,  disturbed,  dissatisfied.  He  longed 
for  lier  sisterly  sympathy,  and  yet  was  impatient, 
as  men  are  wont  to  be,  of  having  betrayed  the 
weakness  that  would  exact  it.  She  scarcely  knew 
what  he  expected  :  to  sympathize  with  him  im- 
plied his  dependence  on  her  ;  to  condemn  the  ap- 
parent heartlessness  of  the  girl  to  whom  he  still 
considered  himself  bound  would  be  to  alienate 
any  further  confidence  on  his  part. 

The  criticism  that  falls  naturally  from  one^s 
own  lips  one  does  not  brook  in  the  same  spirit 
from  another's.  Gwendolen  knew  enough  of  hu- 
man nature  to  be  sure  of  this.     She  spoke  gently  : 

'^Be  certain  there  is  some  explanation  that  will 
clear  away  all  that  looks  so  obscure  and  incom- 
prehensible now,  dear  Godfrey.  If  you  love  Milly, 
nothing  will  keep  you  from  fulfilling  your  vow  to 
her.  That  you  have  no  news  may  not  mean 
indifference  on  her  part,  or  neglect.  When  you 
understand  the  reason  for  what  seems  a  strange 
silence,  you  will,  perhaps,  but  love  her  the  more 
for  what  she  could  not  help.  Could  you  not  write 
to  some  one  living  near — some  member  of  her  own 
family,  possibly — and  ask  for  news  of  her  ?  " 

^'  I  have  not  neglected  that  chance  either,'^  re- 
plied Godfrey.  ^^  After  repeated  appeals  to  Milly 
I  wrote  to  her  father,  explaining  my  position  and 
asking  for  his  own  or  his  daughter's  reply.  But 
as  two  months  have  elapsed  since  then  I  feel  that 
I  have  made  sufficient  allowance  for  even  Sandy's 
slow  methods." 


A   MAN'S   COJSrSCIENCE.  159 

Speaking  the  name  of  Milly's  father  to  the  girl 
beside  him  seemed  to  place  this  memory  also  in 
an  entirely  new  light.  The  association  was  in- 
congruous ;  he  wondered  that  he  had  referred  to 
Sandy  at  all.  He  switched  at  the  laurels  that  en- 
croached upon  the  path  with  his  stick,  finding 
some  vent  for  his  impatience  in  the  act. 

^^I  will  tell  you  the  truth,  Gwen/^  he  said, 
^^  even  at  the  risk  of  losing  your  sympathy.  I  can- 
not tell  whether  I  should  be  glad  or  sorry  if  I  could 
learn  this  minute  that  there  had  been  some  mis- 
take that  a  word  might  clear  away.  I  feel  as  a 
man  might  who,  leading  two  separate  and  distinct 
existences,  could  from  some  point  of  neutrality 
dispassionately  view  and  judge  them  both.  As 
Godfrey  Alleyne  I  loved  Milly  Alistair,  and  would 
have  made  her  my  wife.  She  was  as  surely  a  part  of 
my  plan  as  the  sun  is  the  light  of  day.  But  since 
then  a  change  has  taken  place  that  I  cannot  charge 
altogether  to  outward  circumstance.  I  do  not  feel 
that  the  same  Godfrey  exists  that  a  few  months  ago 
bounded  his  horizon  by  the  distant  line  of  his 
Western  farm.  He  would  find  it  difficult  to-day 
to  confide  his  ambitions  to  the  simple  girl  he  in- 
tended to  marry.  The  two  lives  no  longer  run 
parallel.  I  cannot  pretend  that  they  do.  They 
part  and  diverge,  until  God  knows  whether  there 
would  be  Justice  even  in  holding  Milly  to  a  bond 
made,  one  might  say,  in  ignorance  of  the  man.^^ 

^'Does  love  argue.  Cousin  Godfrey?  Can  it 
stand  apart  and  judge  its  own  claims  ?     Is  there 


160  A  MAIif'S   COJ^SCIEJ^CE. 

any  room  left  for  speculation  or  surmise  when  the 
heart  is  full?'' 

Godfrey  glanced  again  at  the  girl  who  spoke  so 
gently,  yet  had  pierced  with  a  word  the  film  of 
pretence  with  which  he  had  deluded  himself,  and 
he  flushed  under  the  rebuke. 

^^No/'  he  answered  fearlessly,  "^Hhere  is  not. 
But,  Gwen,  think  the  best  of  me  you  can.  It  is 
not  for  my  own  sake  I  argue.  Do  you  not  see  ? 
You  always  used  to  understand — I  thought  you 
would  help  me.     I  want  to  do  right.'' 

She  put  her  hand  in  his  in  the  way  she  used 
when  in  days  gone  by  she  was  the  first  to  make  up 
some  childish  quarrel.  Lifting  her  eyes  to  his, 
wet  with  tears  that  did  not  fall,  she  said  simply, 
"  I  will  help  you,  Godfrey." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Sai^dy  had  fallen  upon  stony  places.  As  he  ex- 
pressed it^  he  was  ^^  plagued  half  out  of  his  senses, 
and  couldnH  tell  what  ter  do."  There  was  Milly 
grown  thin  and  pale,  ^^no  more  like  the  red  posy 
she  used  to  be  than  cornstalks  is  like  fiddles. ^^ 
There  was  Hannah,  more  convinced  of  the  world^s 
depravity  than  ever  before,  and  muttering  anathe- 
mas both  loud  and  deep  against  that  portion  of 
mankind  which  she  indefinitely  located  in  the 
^^  Old  Country."  She  openly  asserted  that  all  had 
gone  well  with  them  up  to  the  time  when  a  cer- 
tain representative  of  that  vaguely-mentioned  land 
had  taken  up  his  residence  at  ^'  Sydney's.''^  Since 
then  '^  there  had  been  the  devil  loose/'  in  her  own 
words. 

She  had  nothing  to  settle  with  Godfrey  individ- 
ually, she  affirmed.  ^^He  al'ays  treated  me  bet- 
ter'n  the  folks  I'm  nearest  kin  to.''  ;N"evertheless, 
when  her  eye  fell  upon  Milly  wandering  about  the 
house  or  premises  with  listless  step  and  spiritless 
expression,  she  was  sometimes  obliged  to  shut  her- 
self up  in  the  wash-house  for  an  indefinite  period ; 
but  how  she  relieved  her  pent-up  feelings  while 
there  has  never  been  definitely  ascertained. 

Once  she  had  boldly  ^^  tackled  "  Sandy  as  he  sat  on 

11 


162  A   MAN'S  COl^SCIENGE. 

the  kitchen  doorstep,  while  she  at  a  little  distance 
pursued  her  lightest  pastime — knitting.  She  had 
been  watching  for  this  occasion  for  some  time,  pre- 
pared to  give  him  a  piece  of  her  mind  on  the  sub- 
ject of  entertaining  strangers.  She  assumed  as  a 
basis  for  her  dissertation  that  there  were  angels  of 
different  grades  of  light  and  degree,  and  that  those 
of  blackest  hue  might  be  as  numerous  and  insin- 
uating as  any  that  knocked  at  one's  door  for  enter- 
tainment. She  proceeded  witheringly  to  demand 
of  Sandy,  ''Whar  d'ye  'spect  to  I'arn  the  fust 
glimmer  o'  common  sense,  jest  enuff  to  keep  ye 
from  bringin'  the  British  inter  this  very  door  and 
fairly  plannin'  to  break  your  own  darter's  heart  ? '' 

This  last  accusation  was  too  much  even  for  the 
long-suffering  Sandy  to  endure  in  silence.  He  was 
accustomed  to  have  many  errors  of  judgment 
attributed  to  him  without  thought  of  justification, 
so  far  as  his  own  personality  was  involved ;  but  to 
be  accused  of  planning  the  overthrow  of  his  child's 
happiness,  to  be  held  responsible  for  her  languid 
manner  and  sad  countenance,  was  more  than  he 
could  tolerate  in  silence.  He  ventured  a  remon- 
strance. 

'^Hanner,''  he  began  solemnly,  ^^it  does  ^pear 
to  me  sometimes  jest  as  if  you  didn't  know  what 
you  was  talkin'  abaout.  You're  so  used  to  list'nin' 
to  your  own  perpetual  clack,  that  it  seems  as  ef 
you  was  worked  by  a  contineral  mill-stream  that 
kep'  the  wheels  a-movin',  whether  ther  was  any 
grist  to  grind  or  not.     Don't  chatter  to  me  'baout 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  163 

Milly,  unless  you  got  a  notion  what  you're  sayin\ 
Ef  you've  got  any  receipt  fer  bringin'  the  posies 
back  inter  her  cheeks,  or  ef  you  don't  know- 
how  ter  make  her  laugh  without  that  cur'us  gurgle 
'way  down  in  her  throat,  that  sounds  as  much 
wuss  than  cryin'  as  sour  milk  is  wuss  than  sweet, 
then  I  should  advise  you  to  air  yer  notions  con- 
sarnin'  our  previous  anchesters  the  British,  or  let 
'em  alone,  as  seems  good  to  you.  But  fer  the 
Lor'  Almighty's  sake,  don't  add  to  the  dilemmer 
by  tryin'  to  take  it  by  both  horns.  'Tain't  no  use. 
You'll  get  tossed  as  high  as  Haman,  and  come 
down,  like  as  not,  in  a  field  you  ain't  used  ter. 
You're  a  good,  careful  critter,  Hanner,  and  I  ain't 
no  notion  of  doin'  away  with  the  character  you've 
arned,  winter  and  summer,  for  the  last  eighteen 
years.  You're  a  good  judge  of  horned  cattle  and 
most  garden  truck,  but  when  it  comes  to  the  fine 
arts  you  ain't  thar  any  mor'n  a  cow.  Takes  eddi- 
cation  to  appreciate  music,  as  I  of 'en  told  you,  and 
mebbe  it  does  love ;  music  and  love  is  somehow 
akin,  I've  al'ays  tho't.  'Tain't  nateral,  then,  that 
you  should  enter  inter  the  feelin's  of  my  darter — 
or  understand,"  he  added,  with  a  preliminary 
cough  against  the  back  of  his  hand — '^  or  under- 
stand the  workin's  of  ar'stocracy." 

^^  My  sakes  !  Sandy  Alistair,  what  a  pesky  old 
driveller  you  be  !  What  on  airth  are  you  talking 
abaout,  anyway?  Yer  must  ha'  gone  clean  outer 
yer  head  'fore  ye'd  stoop  to  take  sides  with  that 
thar  young  feller  'genst  yer  own  flesh  and  blood  ! 


164  A  MAIL'S   CONSCIENCE. 

Can't  yer  see  that  he's  guv  Milly  the  slip  in  a  way 
that  had  ort  to  bring  tears  to  yer  eyes,  if  they  isn't 
too  seared  over  with  sun  and  chaff  f er  any  nateral 
moisture  to  permetrate  ? 

^^'Tain't  nu thin'/' she  continued  bitingly,  ^^fer 
a  young  feller  to  make  up  to  a  gurl  at  the  dona- 
tion, so  that  every  bein'  who  had  eyes  and  elbers 
was  takin'  notes  with  the  one  and  jabbin'  with  the 
other,  every  time  the  young  people  passed  near 
^em.  ^Tain't  nuthin',  p'r'aps,  to  go  orf  walkin' 
down  to  the  plantation  that  same  evenin',  with 
nobody  along,  less  ye're  willin'  to  count  the  man 
in  the  moon's  company.  ^Tain't  nuthin'  to  have 
the  knot  as  good  as  tied  by  the  young  feller's 
mother  speakin'  to  Milly  out  'fore  the  hull  lot, 
and  makin'  her  that  notised  that  she  couldn't  ha' 
bin  no  more  so  with  a  placard  hung  round  her 
neck,  remarkin',  '  Godfrey  is  my  beau  fer  better 
or  wuss.'  ''Tain't  nuthin',  mebbe,  for  Melissa 
Meggs  to  be  crocheting  tidies  by  the  harf-dozen,  so 
fer  as  I  know,  to  set  'em  up  with.  P'r'aps  ye'll 
say  ^tain't  nuthin'  nuther  for  a  gurl's  beau  to  take 
hisself  oif  outer  the  settlement  and  outer  the 
country,  they  do  say,  and  not  so  much  as  call  to 
say  ^  Good-day'  or  '  Wish  I  may  drop  in  agen,'  or 
^  I  will  write  to  you  as  soon  as  I  git  thar,'  or  any 
message  so  fer  as  heerd  from.  That  may  be  yer 
idea  of  sparkin'  or  keepin'  company,  for  eny- 
thing  I  know,  but  ^tain't  mine.  Y'oughter 
hide  yer  head  for  shame,  instid  of  sottin'  down 
like  a  ninny,  and  seein'  that  gurl  fairly  eat  up 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  165 

with  frettin\  Sarve  ye  right  ef  she  went  off  in 
the  gallopin^  consumption.  Instid  of  hangin^ 
round  like  a  wet  rag,  y^oughter  take  a  horsewhip 
and  go  out  into  the  world,  and  run  up  and  down 
'  till  ye  come  across  him  and  his  ferrin  mother,  and 
then  bring  him  back  to  the  farm  ef  ye  hed  to  lay 
it  on  every  blessed  step  o^  the  way/^ 

Hannah  paused  for  Avant  of  breath,  but  the  vehe- 
ment click  of  her  knitting-needles  showed  that 
this  was  her  only  reason  for  not  proceeding. 

Sandy  got  up  and  cut  a  small  portion  from  a 
log  lying  near  the  kitchen  door,  which  he  began 
to  whittle,  leaning  over  with  his  elbows  resting 
on  his  knees.  He  was  so  accustomed  to  listening 
to  Hannah's  hard  sayings,  and  out  of  their  husk 
extracting  some  kernel  of  mental  strength,  that  he 
could  not  now  quite  escape  the  moral  of  her  tirade, 
roughly  conveyed  though  it  was. 

Was  he,  then,  to  blame,  after  all  ?  Had  he  been 
judicious  in  inviting  a  young  man  of  Godfrey's  at- 
tractions to  his  home,  placing  his  daughter  there- 
by in  the  way  of  forming  an  unhappy  attachment? 
Could  he  hold  himself  altogether  irresponsible  ? 
He  could  not,  indeed,  have  foreseen  that  the  young 
Englishman  would  fall  in  love  with  his  daughter, 
yet  now  he  wondered  that  it  had  not  occurred  to 
him.  As  to  Milly,  he  had  thought  of  her  still  as 
only  a  child,  and  had  never  associated  the  idea  of 
love  or  marriage  with  her.  Besides,  if  she  had  re- 
sisted the  fascinations  of  those  well-dressed  youths 
in  distant  St.  Paul,  how  could  he  have  foreseen 


166  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

that  she  would  fall  captive  to  the  first  man  in  a 
flannel  shirt  and  a  blue  neck-tie  who  presented 
himself  at  the  farm  ? 

Sandy  called  himself  ^^  a  rough  old  codger/^  and 
not  fit  for  the  care  of  his  pretty  daughter,  but  this 
did  not  solve  the  problem  of  her  unhappiness,  nor 
explain  the  motive  of  Godfrey's  sudden  disappear- 
ance. He  said,  however,  changing  the  stick  so 
that  he  whittled  towards  him  : 

^^  Milly^s  expect in^  a  letter  from  Godfrey.  It's 
likely  a  letter  takes  consid'able  time  to  travel 
from  his  place  here." 

"  Pish  ! ''  sniffed  Hannah.  ''  She'll  spect  till  the 
crack  o'  doom,  in  my  opinion.  He's  made  as  clean 
tracks  as  a  deer,  and  left  'baout  as  much  dust." 

Sandy  really  had  no  rejoinder  for  this  very  ob- 
vious comparison.  He  took  refuge  in  pursing  up 
his  thin  lips,  and  emitting  a  low  plaintive  sug- 
gestion of  ''  Who  will  care  for  Mother  now?"  This 
ready  resource  of  Sandy's  always  acted  upon  Han- 
nah's nerves  much  after  the  manner  of  a  red  rag 
dangled  before  the  eyes  of  a  bull.  She  tossed  her 
head  in  true  bovine  fashion,  glanced  at  Sandy  as 
though  longing  to  impale  him,  muttered  menda- 
ciously in  deepest  baritone  that  ^^Some  folks 
would  dance  at  other  folks'  funerals,"  and,  step- 
ping high,  left  Sandy  to  the  further  fashioning  of 
his  carefully  whittled  stick  and  the  continuance  of 
his  reflections. 

These  were  not,  in  truth,  agreeable.  He  could 
not  but  coincide  secretly  with  Hannah  in  her  esti- 


A  MAN'S  cokscip:kce.  167 

mate  of  the  probable  epoch  of  Godfrey's  expected 
letter.  He  affected  an  adroitly  managed  igno- 
rance of  the  usual  time  occupied  by  a  letter  in  pro- 
cess of  transmission  from  England  to  Minnesota, 
and  assumed  that  the  important  missive  in  ques- 
tion was  still  on  the  way,  but  he  was  far  from 
owning  to  himself  that  this  was  the  case.  Without 
consultation  with  Milly,  he  had  taken  what  to  him 
seemed  a  most  wily  means  to  discover  what  was 
possible  concerning  Godfrey^s  whereabouts.  He 
had  called  it  ^^ridin^  over  to  visit  the  pa^son/^  but 
he  had  really  turned  in  the  direction  of  Sydney ^s 
so  soon  as  he  was  no  longer  within  range  of  the 
farmhouse. 

Questioning  Paterson,  Sandy  had  learned  the 
reason  for  Godfrey's  sudden  departure,  but  even  in 
that  knowledge  he  could  find  no  justification  of 
his  apparent  neglect.  ^^He  couldn't  ha'  been 
deader  if  he  had  drownded  himself  in  the  ]30ol/' 
Sandy  reflected ;  but  how  to  reach  him,  or  how  to 
revive  what  now  appeared  a  dead  interest,  was  far 
beyond  the  penetration  of  Sandy's  simple  intellect. 

There  had  often  been  long  pauses  between  God- 
frey's visits,  and  this  alone  would  not  have  alarmed 
Milly  had  not  communication  of  every  kind  been 
cut  off  as  suddenly  and  absolutely  as  though  he 
were  in  reality  at  the  bottom  of  that  pool  her 
father  referred  to.  ISTo  letter  arrived  from  him  ; 
her  own  remained  unnoticed.  She  received  no 
word  of  explanation  or  sign  of  intention. 

She  had  not  seen  him  since  before  that  terrible 


168  A   MAK'S   COi^SCIENCE. 

afternoon  of  his  mother^s  visit,  and  from  this  point 
she  dated  all  her  misfortune  ;  with  this  she  con- 
nected the  beginning  of  Godfrey^s  silence.  What 
if,  after  all,  his  mother  had  been  right,  and  he 
owed  a  stronger  allegiance  to  her  and  his  family 
than  ever  he  had  to  his  promised  wife  ?  Perhaps, 
becoming  convinced  of  the  inequality  of  their  posi- 
tions, he  had  yielded  to  what  must  seem  an  in- 
evitable decree,  and  had  exchanged  the  limited 
prospect  of  their  united  lives  for  one  that  stretched 
in  wider  possibilities  before  him.  Left  alone  with 
her  thoughts,  preserving  a  guarded  silence  on  the 
one  subject  that  lay  nearest  her  heart,  Milly  had 
time  to  weigh  all  the  perplexities  of  her  short  life. 
She  had  not  realized  before  how  experience  length- 
ens days  in  a  way  not  taken  into  account  by  the 
record  of  the  calendar. 

It  was  scarcely  a  year  since  she  had  dreamed  her 
dream  in  the  midst  of  the  ripening  grain,  and  yet 
sitting  in  the  same  spot  now,  listening  to  the  sum- 
mer breeze  murmuring  secrets  to  the  nodding 
stalks,  she  seemed  to  herself  older  in  heart  and 
more  worn  with  care  than  even  her  father  could 
be,  despite  his  many  years. 

During  the  first  months  of  Godfrey's  absence  she 
had  been  borne  up  with  a  hope  she  would  not 
yield.  He  would  write  to  her,  she  said ;  he  would 
return — even  Paterson  expected  this  ;  he  had  said 
so  ;  all  would  then  be  explained  and  everything  be 
as  before.  It  was  like  a  romance  in  a  book.  She 
could  almost  have  smiled  when  she  thought  of  the 


A  MAK'S  CONSCIENCE.  169 

important;  part;  she  played  in  its  development. 
She  wondered  if  any  girl  of  her  acquaintance  had 
ever  so  nearly  approached  a  heroine  in  fiction. 

This  phase^  however^  was  but  a  passing  one, 
and  soon  gave  way  to  anxiety  that  could  not  be 
stifled,  while  that  again  was  followed  by  alarm. 
Finally,  as  neither  letter  nor  word  came  from  God- 
frey, these  more  active  emotions  had  given  place 
to  the  duller  and  more  crushing  weight  of  despair. 

All  day  long  she  rocked  herself  in  the  corner  of 
the  verandah,  where  she  had  first  met  her  lover, 
or  else  listlessly  wandered  in  the  little  plantation, 
or  about  the  uncleared  tangle  that  grew  behind  the 
house  and  barns. 

Once  she  resolved  upon  a  very  bold  move  indeed. 
She  could  not  have  resisted  the  impulse,  though 
she  was  not,  even  in  its  conception,  free  from  mis- 
givings concerning  its  propriety. 

It  was  some  time  later  than  her  father^s  surrep- 
titious visit  to  Sydney^s  that  she  determined  upon 
going  there  quite  alone.  She  might  learn  some- 
thing of  Godfrey,  she  thought,  without  betraying 
the  real  object  of  her  visit.  She  did  not  intend  to 
communicate  with  him,  even  had  she  the  chance. 
She  would  not  write  again,  or  send  so  much  as  a 
message,  had  she  the  assurance  that  one  word 
would  bring  him  back  to  her.  He  had  left  her 
without  farewell,  and  remained  away  without  ex- 
planation. She  would  not  exact  from  him  what  he 
seemed  loth  to  give.  jN"o,  he  would  never  hear  from 
her  lips  a  murmur  of  complaint,  or  learn  the  pain  of 


170  A   MAIL'S   COi^rSCIEiq-CE. 

all  these  long  days.  Young  as  she  was,  she  was 
learning  the  lesson  of  suffering,  but  conning  at 
the  same  time  that  page  bound  up  with  it — en- 
durance. 

There  was  no  reason  Avhy  she  should  not  have 
out  her  horse,  and  ride  alone  all  the  way  to  '^  Syd- 
ney^s/^  she  decided.  She  had  often  been  out  for 
hours,  galloping  over  the  plains.  She  had  not 
infrequently  been  as  far  as  the  slope  quite  by  her- 
self. No  thought  of  fear  and  but  little  of  propriety 
hampered  her  decision.  She  was  accustomed  to 
carrying  out  whatever  plan  slie  formed  without 
consultation,  and  in  perfect  reliance  on  her  own 
judgment. 

Evading  Hannah^s  keen  eyes  one  morning,  she 
mounted  her  pony  and  rode  off  in  the  direction  of 
the  open  plain.  Jim,  having  as  speedily  as  possi- 
ble reported  that  "  Milly  and  the  boss  was  a-gal- 
lopin^  like  mad  all  the  way  to  Jericho,"  got  a 
resounding  slap  administered  to  his  ear,  that  made 
him  stand  on  one  leg  for  some  time,  with  his 
tongue  thrust  well  out  cf  one  corner  of  his  mouth, 
while  in  the  intervals  of  rubbing  the  stinging  mem- 
ber he  ejaculated,  '^  Lor'  golly  !  That's  a  prize  for 
lyin',  you  bet  ! '' 

The  sudden  resolve  that  had  induced  Milly  to 
undertake  a  visit  to  ^^  Sydney's''  did  not  act  as  a 
sure  stimulus  on  the  way.  Several  times  she  was 
on  the  point  of  turning  her  horse's  head  home- 
wards, and  abandoning  her  design  altogether. 
She    would    not    attempt    to    learn    for    herself 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  171 

anything  about  Godfrey.  He  had  left  her  without 
farewell,  and  remained  away  without  regret.  AYhy 
should  she  betray  an  interest  apparently  unshared 
by  him  ? 

She  reproved  herself  more  than  once  for  her 
unmaidenly  boldness,  but  still  she  kept  on  her 
way.  Sometimes  she  urged  her  hardy  little  pony 
to  its  fullest  speed,  as  though  trying  to  outride  her 
own  thoughts.  Again,  with  loose  rein  and  de- 
jected air,  she  let  him  take  his  own  way  over  the 
long  sunny  tracks,  as  if  both  horse  and  rider  Avere 
objectless  in  the  journey. 

It  was  a  hot  day  in  early  June.  The  great  tract 
of  even  wheat  through  which  she  rode  nowhere 
showed  the  shadowy  impression  of  stirring  air. 
The  slight  undulations  in  the  surface  Avere  the 
natural  ones  of  rising  or  hollowing  earth.  Only 
far  away  could  be  found  any  trace  of  bush  or  tree 
to  break  the  monotonous  green. 

The  sun  beat  upon  Milly^s  head  with  unclouded 
glare,  while  from  the  miles  of  growing  blades  rose 
a  faint  hot  breath  that  seemed  even  more  oppress- 
ive than  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun.  Milly  took  off 
her  large  chip  hat  and  fanned  herself.  The  ride 
was  hot  and  wearying.  She  almost  wished  that 
she  had  not  ventured,  but  now  it  was  farther  to 
retrace  her  steps  than  to  go  on.  Looking  forward 
to  a  noonday  rest  at  the  farm,  and  the  undisturbed 
enjoyment  of  shelter  and  shade,  she  again  urged 
the  pony  into  a  canter,  and  soon  was  within  sight 
of  her  destination. 


172  A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE. 

She  had  concluded  to  ask  for  Paterson,  the 
overseer,  and  convey  some  message  from  her  father, 
framed  for  the  occasion  by  her  own  fertile  imagina- 
tion. This  might  lead  to  some  remark  concern- 
ing Godfrey,  and  so  she  would  have  adroitly 
obtained  the  object  of  her  visit. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

EEiN'ii^'G  the  pony  before  the  open  door,  she 
leaned  far  oiifc  of  the  saddle,  rapping  with  the 
handle  of  her  whip  upon  the  casement.  Receiving 
no  answer  to  her  repeated  summons,  she  rode 
around  behind  the  house,  hoping  to  find  some 
place  to  fasten  her  horse.  She  would  then  be  able 
to  dismount  and  go  in  search  of  Paterson.  The 
barn-doors  stood  invitingly  open,  and  as  that  as 
well  as  the  dwelling  appeared  deserted,  she  decided 
to  take  possession  of  the  former.  There  could  be 
no  harm,  she  thought,  in  sheltering  herself  there 
within  its  cool  hay-scented  shade.  She  would  un- 
saddle the  pony,  and  give  him  time  to  rest  before 
starting  homewards.  Slipping  from  her  saddle, 
she  was  pulling  with  all  her  strength  at  the  girth- 
buckle,  when  some  one  approaching  from  out  the 
darkness  said  : 

^^  Allow  me,  please  ;  you  are  not  strong  enough. 
That  is  too  hard  work  for  a  woman.^^ 

Milly  started  as  though  a  rifle-shot  had  been 
discharged  close  to  her  ear.  She  could  but  dimly 
discern  the  moving  figure,  still  blinded  by  the  out- 
side glare  ;  but  the  voice  startled  her.  It  had  the 
same  fulness,  with  deep,  well-modulated  intona- 
tion,  that  had    charmed  her  in   Godfrey^s   easy 


174  A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE, 

speech.  For  a  moment  her  heart  stood  still. 
Could  he  have  returned  as  suddenly,  as  silently  as 
he  went  away  ?  Had  he  come  back  to  remove  her 
doubts  and  quiet  her  fears  ?  The  thought  could 
scarcely  have  endured  a  second,  for,  following 
quickly  the  offer  of  assistance,  some  one  took  the 
half-unfastened  buckle  from  her  hand,  and  she 
realized  at  once  that  the  voice  belonged  to  a 
stranger. 

He,  too,  was  a  young  man,  but  shorter  and  of 
lighter  build  than  Godfrey.  Neither  had  he  the 
same  well-proportioned  form  and  perfectly  poised 
head.  Still,  he  belonged  to  that  same  world, 
Milly  thought — a  gentleman,  and  without  hesita- 
tion she  pronounced  him  an  Englishman. 

The  unsaddled  pony  was  led  by  her  companion 
into  a  roughly  constructed  stall,  where  a  litter  of 
fresh  grass  soon  lulled  him  to  forgetfulness  of  sun 
and  heat  and  long  shadowless  tracks.  Milly,  with 
her  long  skirt  clasped  closely  in  one  hand,  still 
stood  in  the  broad  beam  of  light  from  the  open 
doorway.  She  was  attempting  to  frame  some  fit- 
ting excuse  for  her  presence  there. 

She  had  been  out  riding  over  the  plain — she 
often  did  so  —  she  found  herself  on  the  way  to 
''  Sydney^s,^^  as  they  still  called  this  farm,  although 
it  was  no  longer  his ;  she  had  bethought  herself 
of  a  message  her  father  would  like  conveyed  to 
Mr.  Paterson,  and  had  ridden  over  to  deliver  it. 
It  was  hot,  very  hot.  She  hadn^t  the  heart  to 
turn  Wichita  back  without  giving  him  a  chance  to 


^^ Rapping  with  the  handle  of  her  whip  upon  the  casement.'' 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE.  175 

rest.  She  would  be  very  grateful  if  she  might 
wait  there  for  half  an  hour  or  so,  before  riding 
back  again.  She  would  not  disturb  anyone  in 
any  way  ;  the  gentleman  need  not  wait ;  she  would 
make  herself  quite  comfortable. 

This  apparently  consisted  in  leaning  against  the 
opposite  wall,  where  a  plenitude  of  loose  hay  and 
seed  adhering  to  the  rough-hewn  sides  shook  down 
upon  her  head  and  skirts  in  a  shower  of  dry  wisps. 

The  young  man  smiled. 

^^  Will  you  permit  me  to  introduce  myself,  as 
there  is  unfortunately  no  one  on  hand  to  perform 
the  ceremony?  My  name  is  Alexander  Hope.  I 
am  a  friend  of  Lord  Galbraith^  and  just  now  his 
guest,  though  unhappily  without  a  host.^^ 

^^Oh-h-h!''  breathed  Milly.  She  needed  no 
further  explanation.  She  knew  well  enough  who 
Alexander  Hope  was,  though  what  he  meant  by 
being  a  guest  of  Lord  Galbraith^'s,  when  staying  at 
Godfrey's,  was  certainly  not  understood  by  her. 
The  explanation  of  his  presence  there  seemed  am- 
biguous. 

Thfs  she  did  know,  however,  that  Godfrey  and 
Aleck  Hope  had  been  fast  friends.  They  had 
been  boys  together  at  Winchester,  and  had  after- 
wards '^^ crammed^'  at  the  same  tutor's  for  the 
Army  '^  exams."  Godfrey  had  passed,  but  Aleck — 
yes,  she  knew  the  word  —  had  been  ^^  ploughed.'^ 
They  had  not  seen  much  of  each  other  for  the  last 
few  years.  Godfrey  had  been  ordered  to  India 
soon  after  joining  his  regiment,  and,  with  the  ex- 


176  A    MAK'S   COiq-SCIEKCE. 

ception  of  a  short  leave  of  absence^  had  passed  his 
time  out  of  England.  Finally  returning  for  a 
longer  holiday,  he  had  conceived  the  idea  of  bet- 
tering his  fortunes  by  this  venture  in  the  West ; 
from  this  date  Milly  was  personally  familiar  with 
his  career. 

What  happened  to  Aleck  after  the  incident  that 
put  an  end  to  his  military  ambitions  she  did  not 
know.  What  young  men  of  his  circumstances 
turned  to  in  defeat  she  had  no  idea.  She  remem- 
bered what  Godfrey  had  laughingly  said  of  him  : 
''  Poor  old  Aleck  !  He  thinks  of  resigning  his 
place  at  her  grace's  tea-tray  and  coming  out  West 
to  learn  farming.  He  always  did  show  a  pro- 
phetic weakness  for  the  plough.  He's  better 
equipped  for  life  out  here  than  many  of  us.  I  hope 
you'll  meet  him  some  day — an  awfully  jolly  chap." 

And  now  they  had  met :  he  with  her  saddle 
swung  over  his  shoulder;  she  with  wisps  of  hay 
clinging  to  her  hair  and  dress.  The  position  must 
have  held  something  of  the  ludicrous,  for,  glancing 
across  the  intervening  space,  they  both  smiled. 

^^You  look  as  though  you  knew  me  already," 
Aleck  said  ;  ^^  but  I  beg  pardon.  I  haven't,  don't 
you  know,  the  pleasure  of  your  acquaintance. 
Would  it  be  contrary  to  Western  etiquette,  I  won- 
der, if  you  told  me  your  name?'"* 

^^  I  don't  know  much  about  etiquette,  I  guess, 
but  I  don't  mind  telling  you  my  name.  I'm  Milli- 
cent  Alistair.  My  father's  farm  lies  to  the  north, 
and  is  not  so  very  many  miles  from  here.    I  knew 


A  MAiq-'S  CONSCIENCE.  177 

sliglitly/^  she  continued  shyly,  the  color  rising 
softly  to  her  cheeks — ^^I  had  a  slight  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Godfrey  Alleyne.^' 

^^  Perhaps  you  know  that  Mr.  Godfrey  Alleyne 
no  longer  exists/^  began  Aleck.  ^^  He^s — "  But  he 
stepped  hastily  towards  the  girl,  who  swayed  mis- 
erably backwards  and  forwards,  as  though  she 
would  have  fallen.  Before  he  reached  her  she  had 
indeed  lost  her  balance,  and  lay  with  arms  out- 
spread on  the  hay- strewn  floor. 

^^By  Jove!  This  is  a  pretty  go !  ^^  muttered 
Aleck.  ^^  What  is  a  man  to  do  with  her,  I^d  like  to 
know  ?  Sunstroke  without  a  doubt !  I'd  lay  five 
to  one  on  it  for  a  certainty.  What  on  earth  she 
means  by  riding  all  over  the  place  on  a  grilling 
day,  with  the  mercury  up  among  the  nineties,  no 
one  but  a  prairie-girl  would  be  apt  to  know.  She's 
pretty  —  deuced  pretty  —  prettier  even  than  I 
thought,  now  one  gets  a  good  look  at  her.'^ 

He  was  kneeling  on  both  knees  beside  her, 
while  he  fanned  her  vigorously  with  the  chip  hat 
that  had  fallen  from  her  head. 

'^^  By  Jove  !  '^  he  ejaculated  again.  ^^I  must  man- 
age to  lift  her  up  and  carry  her  into  the  house. 
Deuced  awkward  —  no  chaperon  or  anything! 
What  will  Paterson  say,  I  wonder,  to  see  me  enter 
from  the  left  centre  bearing  the  lifeless  form  of 
the  ensnared  heroine  ?  I  don't  mind  the  audience 
stepping  out,  under  the  circumstances.  But  how 
to  manage  it?  She  must  weigh  nine  stone  if  she 
does  an  ounce.    I  wonder  how  Fll  get  hold  of  her  ? 

12 


178  A   MAWS   CONSCIENCE. 

I  say.  Miss  Alistair  !  I  beg  pardon ;  but  if  you 
don't  mind — " 

By  this  time  Milly  opened  lier  eyes  languidly. 
Finding  the  stranger  with  both  arms  about  her, 
and  her  face  in  a  proximity  to  his  closely-cut  brown 
beard  that  a  few  moments  before  she  would  have 
found  difficulty  in  imagining,  she  gave  a  convulsive 
little  shriek  and  clasped  both  her  hands  tightly 
over  her  face.  Aleck  quickly  withdrew,  leaving 
Milly  dependent  on  her  own  vertebraB,  as  she  still 
sat  in  a  half-collapsed  condition  on  the  floor. 

^^Do  you  often  faint  ?^^  he  asked  sympathet- 
ically ;  but  receiving  only  an  indistinct  gurgle  by 
way  of  response,  he  went  on  :  ^^It  must  have  been 
the  heat,  for  just  as  I  was  going  to  tell  you  some 
pleasant  news  about  Godfrey  you  up  and  fainted 
away.^^ 

Milly  withdrew  her  hands.  Pleasant  news  about 
Godfrey  !  Hadn't  he  just  said  he  did  not  exist? 
That  was  far  from  pleasant.  He  must  exist ! 
What  a  tiresome  man  !  What  did  he  mean  by 
frightening  one  to  death,  and  then  declaring  that 
his  news  was  pleasant?  He  must  be  ^^ queer.'' 
8he  overcome  by  the  heat !  He  must  have  had  a 
first-class  sunstroke,  and  never  recovered.  She  be- 
lieved he  was  demented  to  announce  he  had  pleas- 
ant news,  and  embody  it  in  such  puzzling  form. 
She  began  fairly  to  hate  him.  Why  didn't  he  cease 
the  even  stroking  of  that  ridiculous  brown  mous- 
tache, and  speak  ? 

^^Well?"  she  said  laconically. 


A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  179 

*^I  beg  pardon— ah — yes  !  I  was  going  to  tell 
you  how  your  old  friend — '^ 

^^Who  told  you  that  he  was  my  old  friend  ?^^ 
she  asked  petulantly. 

^^  I  only  judged  so^  knowing  him,  you  see,  and 
your  being  near  neighbors,  and  young,  and  all  that. 
Godfrey  is  such  a  good  fellow,  and  handsome,  all 
the  women  say  ;  I  imagined  there  might  be  an 
affinity,  I  think  they  call  it,  between  natures  that 
seem  alike.  ^^ 

^^  You  are  assuming  more  than  you  have  a  right 
to  express,  Mr.  Alexander  Hope.''^  Milly  rose  to 
her  feet  with  dignity. 

Aleck  picked  the  saddle  up  off  the  floor,  and 
hung  it  on  a  nail.  He  had  presumed,  he  was 
aware,  and  ejaculated  mentally  that  he  would  find 
satisfaction  by  kicking  himself  around  the  barn. 
The  girl  might  be  unused  to  the  conventional 
forms  of  society,  but  she  certainly  had  a  ready  in- 
tuition that  recognized  a  man  as  a  cad  when  he 
appeared  like  one. 

^^Miss  Alistair,^^  he  began  gravely,  ^^I  beg  your 
pardon  most  sincerely  for  assuming  anything.  ^^ 

He  looked  at  her  frankly,  as  if  waiting  for  her 
to  speak. 

Meeting  his  apology  half-way,  Milly  said  gently, 

^^My  father  will  be  glad  of  any  good  news  you 
have  to  tell  us  of  Mr.  Alleyne.  He  was  a  great 
friend  of  his  ;   he  misses  him  very  much.^^ 

^^It  isn^t  likely  that  he  will  come  back  here 
again — morels  the  pity,^^  replied  Aleck.      ^^You 


180  A  MAK'S   CONSCIENCE. 

see,  since  lie  became  Lord  Galbraitli  lie  is  needed 
at  liome/^  Milly  gasped.  This  was  indeed  un- 
locked for.  ^^  It  is  a  very  rich  title  indeed.  The 
estates,  both  Scotch  and  English,  will  require  all 
of  Godfrey's  time,  I  am  thinking.  His  experience 
out  here  must  already  seem  like  a  dream  to  him. 
He  is  not  a  politician,  and  may  not  go  in  for  that 
sort  of  thing,  as  his  brother  did  ;  but  he  intends, 
so  I  understand,  to  improve  the  property,  do  a  lot 
of  building,  and  carry  out  no  end  of  Utopian 
schemes  for  the  tenantry.  He  intends  to  make 
himself  into  a  model  landlord,  reduce  the  rents, 
and  beggar  himself  in  the  end,  I  am  inclined  to 
think.  Plans  of  this  sort  look  well  enough  on 
paper,  and,  too,  sound  advanced  and  humanitarian. 
They  are,  indeed,  expected  now  of  a  young  man 
coming  into  his  property,  but  when  they  come  to 
be  put  into  practice  it  isn't  so  easy.  There  are  a 
legion  of  prejudices  and  an  army  of  opposition  to 
overcome.  The  very  tenants  themselves  are  one's 
natural  obstacle  to  all  measures  of  reform.  They 
prefer  damp  floors  and  smoky  chimneys  ;  they 
hug  leaky  roofs  and  reject  sanitary  drainage  ;  they 
decline  modern  inventions  and  labor-saving  imple- 
ments ;  they  demand  their  ancient  rights  in  rheu- 
matism and  consumption,  and  ask  plaintively, 
^  Are  you  not  contented  with  improving  your  own 
homes,  and  adding  luxury  to  luxury,  while  you 
leave  us  in  peaceful  possession  of  inherited  dis- 
comfort ? ' 

''  Godfrey  is  a  man  who  will  try  to  put  in  prac- 


A  MAK'S  COKSCIENCE.  181 

ticG  the  advanced  theories  of  the  times.  He  has 
lived  long  enough  in  America  to  become  imbued 
with  the  principle  of  an  equality  of  interests,  and 
he  will  attempt  to  transplant  the  idea  among  his 
own  people.  He  will  implant  in  those  sturdy  old 
Scotch  farmers  a  love  of  experiment  that  will 
doubtless  paralyze  their  industry  for  the  next  ten 
years.  He  will  preach  the  dignity  of  individual 
labor  and  personal  responsibility  in  his  English 
domains  until  every  mother^s  son  among  his  ten- 
antry will  clamor  for  a  reduction  in  rent  and  an 
advance  in  wages.  Eich  experimentalists  are  act- 
ing upon  advanced  civilization  much  as  an  over- 
amount  of  leaven  affects  dough.  It  fizzes  and 
rises  and  makes  a  most  promising  display,  but 
when  one  comes  to  test  the  loaf  it  is  often  too 
light,  the  sweetness  evaporated,  and  the  taste  un- 
palatable.''" 

Milly  listened,  but  certainly  had  grasped  very  lit- 
tle of  her  companion's  meaning,  yet  the  drift  was 
borne  in  upon  her  in  a  way  she  could  not  resist. 

She  understood  that  the  time  had  come  when 
Godfrey  was  no  longer  the  Godfrey  she  had  known, 
the  man  with  few  cares  and  limited  responsibili- 
ties. He  no  longer  belonged  to  this  country — 
her  own  country — of  dawning  possibilities  and  ex- 
perimental policy.  He  was  no  longer  at  liberty  to 
throw  in  his  fortunes  with  a  new  Eepublic  ;  he 
could  never  be  claimed  again  as  an  adopted  Amer- 
ican. He  belonged  by  obligation,  as  he  did  by 
birth,  to  a  distant  land,  the  land  of  his  fathers 


182  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

and  the  inheritance  of  his  blood.  He  must  fulfil 
the  destiny  of  a  preordained  order  of  things. 
He  was  now  the  head  of  his  family,  and  as  abso- 
lutely cut  olf  from  his  short  experience  in  the  N^ew 
World  as  though  he  had  been  translated  to  another 
planet. 

She  might  have  known  how  it  would  be  from 
the  beginning.  She  was  a  silly  little  fool  to  have 
imagined  she  could  take  the  place  in  his  heart 
that  one  might  who  was  of  his  own  sphere.  What 
did  she  know  of  inherited  titles  and  vast  estates, 
or  how  should  she  comprehend  the  power  of  wealth 
and  position  ?  Of  what  consequence  was  she  ? 
Whom  had  she  ever  influenced,  either  in  theory  or 
by  example  ?  'No  one,  not  even  Jim,  cared  what 
she  thought  on  matters  of  home  policy,  and  who, 
beyond  the  limits  of  her  father's  farm,  concerned 
themselves  about  her  in  any  degree  ?  She  was  as 
far  removed  from  a  position  of  influence,  either  at 
home  or  abroad,  as  that  fly  crawling  on  the  wall. 
She  was  in  no  wise  fitted  to  become  the  wife  of  a 
man  born  to  a  rank  and  duties  which  she  hardly 
comprehended.  He  had  gone  back  to  them,  she 
knew,  and  to  this  severance  she  must  submit ;  and 
yet  how  her  heart  cried,  ^^  Ah,  Godfrey  !  you  were 
mine  then  !  Only  a  few  bright  days,  my  beloved, 
but  they  were  all  my  own.  Thank  God,  I  did  not 
believe  then  that  you  could  leave  me  !  I  should 
never  have  known  how  bright  the  world  was  had 
you  not  come  to  me ;  but  ah,  the  darkness  !  the 
night !    This  is  the  worst !  ^^ 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  183 

The  man  watching  her  thought^  '^  What  an  un- 
commonly expressive  face  this  young  country  girl 
has  !  One  could  believe  that  she  was  now  enter- 
ing into  the  whole  future  of  Galbraith^  so  chang- 
ing is  the  sympathetic  light  that  comes  and  goes 
in  her  blue  eyes/^  When  one  took  into  account, 
too,  the  wisps  of  hay  and  the  dusty  gown,  she 
really  did  preserve  an  uncommon  amount  of 
dignity.  He  concluded  he  would  continue  the 
theme  that  called  forth  so  varying  a  play  of 
expression. 

^^  That  will  be  a  very  suitable  marriage/'  he  be- 
gan again,  ^^the  one  Godfrey  is  to  make  with  his 
cousin. '^ 

Milly  tightened  her  clasp  upon  her  riding-skirt, 
but  she  only  looked  her  inquiry. 

^^  He  is  going  to  be  married  soon,  they  say.  In- 
deed, he  has  been  engaged  to  her  for  years  ;  a  boy 
and  girl  love-match,  I  have  heard.  There  can't 
be  any  reason  for  delaying  the  wedding,  so  soon  as 
the  suitable  time  for  mourning  and  all  that  has 
elapsed. '^ 

'']^o,  there  can't  be,''  repeated  Milly. 

^^The  announcement  of  their  engagement  has 
appeared  in  the  3forni?ig  Post,  I  see,  and  after 
that  there  is  no  appeal,  you  know." 

^^  I  should  think  not ; "  but  what  this  authority 
was  that  could  so  dispose  of  the  man  she  loved, 
and  who  had  promised  to  make  her  his  Avife,  she 
had  not  the  most  remote  idea. 

^^They  have  both  been   first  favorites  in  the 


184  A   MAN'S   COKSCIENCE. 

fashionable  worlds  and  their  wedding  is  sure  to  be 
the  first  affair  of  the  year." 

'^  Yes^  sure  to  he/'  echoed  Milly.  She  rose  pres- 
ently, and  said  she  would  go  out  into  the  air. 
She  would  feel  better ;  the  heat  was  intense  and 
the  barn  stuffy ;  and,  besides,  she  wanted  to  find 
Mr.  Paterson.     She  had  a  message  for  him. 

Her  companion  offered  to  send  for  the  overseer, 
begging  her  to  rest  in  the  house  and  let  him  offer 
her  refreshment  of  some  kind,  but  Milly  declined. 
She  could  not  trust  herself  any  longer  to  maintain 
an  outward  show  of  calmness.  Her  heart  was 
sore,  and  she  must  have  time  to  master  its  dull 
throbbing.  She  thanked  Aleck,  but  went  out  by 
herself  into  the  brilliant  sunlight.  She  scarcely  saw 
where  she  was  going  ;  the  light  blinded  her,  and  a 
dull  sense  of  having  come  to  the  end  of  all  things 
benumbed  her  brain  and  deadened  her  senses. 
She  was  saying,  over  and  over,  as  she  went,  ^^Ah, 
Godfrey,  I  have  loved  you  so  !  No  one  can  ever  love 
you  as  I  have  !    It  is  such  agony  to  give  you  up  ! " 

Passing  the  house,  she  had  entered  a  long  lane 
cut  by  passing  teams  and  farm-implements  be- 
tween the  walls  of  grooving  grain.  Soon  she  felt 
herself  as  much  alone  as  though  she  had  cut  adrift 
from  shore  on  a  vast  lake.  She  threw  herself 
down  amidst  the  green,  and  sobbed  as  though  her 
heart  was  breaking. 

But  we  all  know  of  what  tough  fibre  this  organ 
of  life  is  made.  It  neither  breaks  nor  dies,  even 
when  strained  to  bursting.     No  shock  can   snap 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  185 

its  strings^  nor  sorrow  wear  out  its  tissues.  Phys- 
ical being  rarely  gives  way  at  the  touch  of  grief. 
And  so,  although  Milly  many  times  said  that  she 
should  die,  she  did  not.  After  a  time  she  sat  up, 
wiped  the  tears  from  her  flushed  face,  and  decided 
that  she  would  go  home. 

She  started  to  go  directly  back  to  the  barn 
where  the  pony  was  stabled,  hoping  to  escape  any 
further  encounter  with  Aleck.  She  was  not  dis- 
appointed, for  she  met  no  one  on  the  way,  nor  was 
her  host  any  longer  in  possession  of  the  barn. 
Hastily  saddling  her  pony,  she  mounted  and  rode 
away,  quite  forgetting  the  intended  message  for 
Mr.  Paterson. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  DAY  in  early  September  had  been  chosen  as 
the  one  on  which  Godfrey  should  publicly  enter 
upon  his  duties  as  lord  of  the  domain.  A  soft 
autumn  day,  when  the  air  seemed  filled  with  the 
sweetness  of  lingering  summer,  yet  over  all  hung 
that  peculiar  tissue  of  atmosphere  that  defines  the 
difference  between  the  two  seasons. 

Since  early  morning  there  had  been  unusual  stir 
and  life  among  the  inmates  of  Bainhurst,  for  all 
had  their  part  to  perform  in  the  preparations  for 
the  day's  events  ;  all,  indeed,  except  the  Dowager 
Lady  Galbraith.  Sitting  on  the  terrace  in  the  open 
sunlight,  she  watched  the  moving  figures  hurry- 
ing to  and  fro,  and  pictured  other  days.  Vainly 
she  strove  to  form  and  regulate  the  thoughts  that 
arose  in  her  slow-moving  brain.  Days  of  like  im- 
port passed  before  her,  and  often  in  the  confusion 
of  crowding  memories  she  failed  to  recall  who  it 
was  that  to-day  would  be  acknowledged  by  his  peo- 
ple as  Lord  of  Galbraith.  Sometimes  it  was  the 
husband  of  her  youth  ;  again,  it  was  her  first-born 
in  all  the  strength  of  his  young  manhood ;  then, 
catching  glimpses  of  Godfrey  as  he  came  and  went, 
giving  directions  or  aiding  with  his  own  hands. 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  187 

the  memories  faded;,  until  nothing  was  left  but  the 
interest  which  centred  in  him. 

Tents,  gay  with  many-colored  flags,  dotted  the 
expanse  of  park  and  stood  out  gaily  amid  dark 
trunks  of  giant  trees.  A  herd  of  deer,  startled 
by  unwonted  sounds  and  the  hurrying  of  busy  feet, 
had  retired  to  a  distant  knoll,  where  they  stood 
huddled  in  the  shadow  of  a  group  of  firs.  Liveried 
servants,  with  powdered  heads  and  dignified  gait, 
carried  from  house  to  tent  heavy  silver  trays  piled 
high  with  dainties.  Flags  were  flying  from  the 
towers,  and  adorned  every  vantage-point  on  turret 
or  tent-peak.  Multi-colored  lamps  hung  like  gaudy 
blossoms  on  the  trees,  while  the  gray  outline  of  the 
ancient  dwelling  had  been  followed  in  many  tinted 
balls  that  in  the  evening  would  each  hold  its  cu|) 
of  light,  making  the  whole  pile  to  shine  like  some 
palace  of  Aladdin. 

Over  the  entrance  to  the  largest  marquee  a  shield 
hung  w^hicli  bore,  cunningly  fashioned  in  flowers, 
the  motto  of  the  family.  This  had  been  the 
especial  work  of  Gwendolen's  deft  fingers.  Lady 
Galbraith,  observing  her  son  and  niece  striving 
with  amateur  skill  to  fasten  the  heavy  device  to 
the  yielding  surface  of  the  tent,  was  moved  to 
ejaculate  indefinitely,  ''  Thank  God  for  all  His 
blessings  ! ''  but  the  smile  of  content  that  hovered 
about  her  lips  was  called  there  by  one  reflection 
only. 

Presently  the  gay  uniform  of  the  Yeomanry  band 
was  added  to  the  scene ;  and,  following  soon,  the 


188  A  MAWS   COKSCIEKCE. 

first  straggling  arrivals  of  guests  began  to  appear. 
From  out  the  vista  of  a  green-arched  lane  trooj)ed 
gay  groups  of  children,  marshalled  by  the  school- 
mistress, proud  in  the  consciousness  of  holiday 
attire  as  well  as  of  the  important  part  they  were 
to  play  in  the  day^s  celebration. 

White  frocks  for  the  little  maids,  a  broad  ex- 
panse of  spotless  collar  for  their  brothers,  were  the 
indispensable  adjuncts  of  attire ;  but  a  nosegay 
made  up  of  those  showy  blossoms  that  seem  to  be 
the  especial  product  of  every  cottage  garden  was  a 
no  less  essential  adornment  for  the  occasion.  With 
posies  tightly  grasped  in  pudgy  fingers,  and  with 
hearts  aflame  with  anticipation  and  excitement, 
they  trudged  in  to  the  enlivening  strains  of  '^  Come, 
lads  and  lassies  ! '' 

Then  by  twos  and  threes,  and  sometimes  in 
families  of  incredible  numbers,  streamed  in  the 
older  folk,  all  in  Sunday  array,  and  most  of  them 
extremely  restrained  and  stiff  in  consequence. 

One  of  the  marvels  one  never  ceases  to  wonder 
at  is  how  soap  and  water,  with  a  change  of  raiment, 
can  so  obliterate  every  indication  of  character  and 
individuality  from  the  sturdy  deep-lined  counte- 
nances of  those  who  labor  in  humble  occupations. 
Behind  the  plough  in  his  blue  jean  blouse,  or  over 
the  anvil  with  his  sleeves  rolled  up,  there  appear 
lineaments  that  betoken  strength,  purpose,  reflec- 
tion, individual  characteristics  ;  but  uniformed  in 
the  ill-fitting  black  of  holiday  broadcloth,  with 
shaven   chin   and  well-soaped  locks,  we  lose  all 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE.  189 

recognition  of  our  old  friends.  Women^  perhaps^ 
are  not  so  profoundly  influenced  by  change  of  any 
kind  ;  or  else  feminine  character,  being  more  com- 
plex and  many-sided,  more  readily  adapts  itself  to 
new  conditions  ;  for  the  shawl  used  only  on  great 
days  or  the  bonnet  reserved  for  holidays  is  assumed 
on  these  occasions  more  gracefully  than  are  the 
Sunday  habiliments  of  their  lords  and  masters. 

But  guests  were  arriving  rapidly  from  all  the 
country  round.  Carriages  drew  up  in  the  Long 
Drive,  conveying  gay  parties  of  young  people  from 
neighboring  houses.  Everywhere  the  grounds 
seemed  alive  with  merry  faces,  and  the  air  re- 
sounded with  ringing  voices.  And  everywhere 
Godfrey  could  be  seen  among  his  guests  ;  while 
from  group  to  group  Gwendolen  moved  with  that 
grace  and  unconsciousness  of  self  that  distinguished 
whatever  she  did. 

ISTot  a  child  was  there  who  did  not  carry  home 
a  memory  of  some  bright  word  or  smile,  for  she 
had  a  rare  faculty  of  adaptation  to  even  the  least 
of  them.  She  knew  all  the  games  the  little  ones 
most  delighted  in,  and  how  to  start  them  in 
merriest  mood ;  she  understood,  too,  how  a  word 
spoken  in  time  could  restrain  the  more  boisterous 
gaiety  of  the  older  children.  They  all  loved  her, 
and  the  highest  praise  they  asked  was  a  word  of 
commendation  from  her  lips. 

The  feast,  the  children  declared,  was  a  grand 
success.  Never  since  the  world  began  had  there 
been  such   buns  !      Never  in   like  time  had  tea 


190  A   MAIL'S   COJSrSCIENCE. 

flowed  with  sucli  abundance,  or  so  many  sugar 
lumps  been  added  to  render  it  delectable  !  Lemon- 
ade must  have  spouted  from  an  inexhaustible 
fountain  ;  and  as  to  cakes  and  lollipops,  there  was 
no  end  !  It  was  a  glorious  feast !  They  only 
wished  Milord  would  live  to  see  countless  days 
such  as  this;  and  as  to  Miss  Gwendolen — why, 
they  could  not  think  of  anything  good  enough  to 
wish  her,  but  they  offered  to  share  with  her  all 
their  sweets  and  goodies. 

Marshalled  again  by  the  tireless  schoolmistress, 
they  were  finally  marched  away,  to  enjoy  again  in 
their  dreams  a  feast  of  giant  buns  swimming  in  a 
sea  of  tea. 

Then  it  was  that  the  older  men  and  women 
drew  together  in  anticipation  of  the  greater  event 
of  the  day — the  dinner.  This  was  to  be  served  in 
the  great  marquee,  and  ^^  Scotch  Warlock, ^^  as  his 
neighbors  called  him,  had  been  elected  to  preside. 
Not,  surely,  from  any  especial  fitness  for  the  posi- 
tion, unless,  indeed,  the  supreme  merit  of  superior 
years  could  be  called  so.  However,  it  was  agreed 
that  no  one  among  them  could  more  worthily  fill 
the  place.  Once  more,  with  quavering  voice  and 
abundant  detail,  he  recounted  the  glories  of  every 
past  entertainment  of  like  kind  in  which  he  had 
taken  part  since  the  time  when  the  young  ''  laird^s  ^' 
grandfather  had  patted  his  curly  pate,  saying, 
^^  When,  now,  wilt  thou  grow  to  match  thy  name  ?  " 
This  was  the  old  gamekeeper^s  favorite  tale,  and 
had  borne  the  wear  of  many  years^  repetition. 


Si 

t 


>- 
^ 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  191 

Never  had  it  failed  to  secure  those  evidences  of 
approval  dear  to  his  heart.  It  was  as  surely 
counted  upon  as  a  part  of  the  day^s  ceremony  as 
was  the  proposal  of  my  lord^s  health.  To-day, 
however,  the  old  gamekeeper  was  bound  to  add 
one  more  to  the  numerous  anecdotes  already  con- 
nected with  his  long  years  on  the  estate.  He  had 
risen  on  trembling  legs,  and,  with  shaking  hand 
uplifted,  was  about  to  propose  that  toast  which 
would  loosen  all  tongues,  and  set  the  sturdy  farmers 
and  their  dames  on  easy  footing  with  their  neigh- 
bors, when  a  glimpse  of  Gwendolen  moving  about 
among  the  people  suggested  some  new  impulse  to 
his  senile  understanding. 

'^  N^eebors,^^  he  said,  '^  ane  glass  is  as  guid  as 
twa  when  man  and  maid  may  be  pledged  thegither. 
In  drinkin^  to  Maister  Godfrey  (Lord  preservers  ! 
how  my  old  brain  is  a-gaen  dottie  !  his  lairdship^s 
my  meanin^),  let^s  nae  forget  the  glint  of  our 
bonny  leddy's  locks  or  the  flash  of  her  blue  een, 
for  they^re  like  sun  atop  of  bluebells,  or  like  stars 
in  the  purple  pool  in  Ayr.  There^s  naebody  in 
all  the  country  round  to  compare  with  our  bonny 
leddy,  and  who  cuid  make  his  lairdship  sae  blithe 
a  bride  !  Fill  to  the  brim,  neebors  all,  for  we 
pledge  lang  life  and  sunny  days  to  his  lairdship, 
the  tenth  Earl  of  Galbraith,  and  may  he  long 
bide  ^lang  side  his  douce  leddy,  fair  Miss  Gwen- 
dolen I^^ 

Cheers  rang  out  with  added  fervor  since  now  it 
was    publicly   announced  that  coupled  with  the 


192  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

young  lord^s  name  might  be  that  of  his  cousin. 
What  more  fitting  time  to  demonstrate  their 
hearty  goodwill  ?  And  so  the  lusty  farmers  added 
cheer  to  cheer,  shouting  themselves  hoarse,  and 
drank  no  end  of  good  wine  and  beer.  Old  War- 
lock was  certainly  not  in  his  prime,  they  all  ac- 
knowledged, nor  could  he  always  distinguish 
between  one  neighbor  and  another  ;  but  in  a  mat- 
ter so  important  as  this  was  it  likely  that  he 
would  err  ?  Indeed,  he  but  expressed  what  every 
man,  woman,  and  child  on  the  estate  had  settled 
long  ago  in  their  own  minds  :  this  wedding  of  their 
new  lord  to  his  favorite  cousin.  Was  it  not  of  all 
things  the  most  natural  and  to  be  desired  ?  In- 
deed, my  Lady  Gwendolen  had  grown  up  in  their 
midst,  and  could  call  each  one  of  them  by  name 
down  to  the  tiniest  tot  at  his  mother's  knee.  What 
stranger  could  ever  do  so  much,  or  in  any  way  fill 
her  place  ?  No  one,  surely,  that  had  ever  come 
among  them  ;  but  now  it  was  past  doubting  that 
^^my  lady^^  would  remain  as  the  young  lord's 
bride,  and  this  was  joy  enough.  And  so  they  once 
more  broke  out  into  open  congratulation. 

If  Godfrey  had  himself  prompted  the  old  game- 
keeper's speech,  he  could  not  have  suggested  any- 
thing that  would  so  have  bound  the  hearts  of  his 
tenants  to  him  as  did  this  unexpected  announce- 
ment. 

But  Gwendolen  ?  As  Godfrey  rose  to  reply  amid 
a  deafening  uproar  of  good  wishes  he  scarcely 
dared  look  for  her  in  the  little  throng  around  the 


A  MAK'S  COi^SCIEKCE.  193 

door.  When  he  did,  however,  gain  courage  to 
glance  that  way,  he  was  relieved  to  find  that  she 
had  slipped  away,  sparing  him  the  embarrassment 
of  speaking  before  her. 

Whatever  ambiguity  his  reply  assumed,  it  must, 
at  least,  have  well  answered  the  purpose ;  for 
when  his  guests  arose  after  repeated  ^^  three  times 
three  '^  in  his  honor,  not  one  of  them  could  have 
told  whether  ^^  milord  ^^  and  ^^my  Lady  Gwen- 
dolen ''  were  to  go  on  for  ever  in  the  pleasant 
relationship  of  affectionate  cousins,  or  were  to 
assume  the  nearer  one  suggested  by  old  Warlock. 
However  it  was,  they  all  voted  this  a  memorable 
occasion,  and  each  departed,  holding  a  high  esti- 
mate of  himself  and  in  a  mellow  friendliness  with 
mankind  in  general. 

Before  the  day  ended,  Gwendolen  was  destined 
to  be  once  more  reminded  of  the  old  gamekeeper^s 
blundering  goodwill.  Some  of  the  guests  from 
neighboring  houses,  remaining  after  the  afternoon 
fetes  were  at  an  end,  were  to  make  a  part  of  the 
dinner-party  invited  by  the  Dowager  Lady  Gal- 
braith  in  honor  of  her  son.  Afterwards  there  would 
be  dancing  and  the  other  evening  amusements 
attendant  on  such  entertainments. 

Just  before  the  guests  were  to  assemble  in  the 
drawing-room,  Gwendolen  bethought  herself  of  an 
order  that  needed  changing  concerning  the  light- 
ing of  the  conservatories.  Not  waiting  to  send 
her  message  by  a  servant,  she  ran  hastily  down  the 
stairs,  and  found  herself  on  the  point  of  interrupt- 


194  A   MAN'S   C02!^SCIEKCE. 

ing  what  appeared  to  be  an  interesting  tete-a-tete 
between  two  of  the  guests,  already  in  possession  of 
the  conservatory  she  was  about  to  invade.  Mrs. 
Laugh ton-Seabury  had  evidently  been  the  speaker, 
while  her  companion,  Captain  Cathay,  threw  in 
those  interjectional  comments  which,  in  a  certain 
phase  of  society,  seem  to  answer  all  the  purpose 
of  an  interesting  colloquy.  One  of  these  Gwen- 
dolen caught. 

'^  I  didn't  know  before  that  it  was  announced, ^^ 
he  was  saying. 

*^It  is  one  of  those  cases  when  words  could 
scarcely  make  a  fact  plainer,  I  should  think.  Every 
one  knows  that  Lord  Galbraith's  mother  has 
brought  her  up  with  the  one  expectation  before 
her.    Indeed,  the  Dowager  has  set  her  heart  onit.^^ 

Gwendolen  fled  without  so  much  as  bestowing  a 
thought  upon  the  lamps,  that  were  likely  to  go 
out  in  darkness  long  before  the  hour  when  their 
brilliance  would  be  required.  Flying  along  the 
passage-way,  she  regained  her  room  in  time  to  cool 
her  flushed  face  before  encountering  the  comments 
of  Mrs.  Laughton-Seabury  or  the  scrutiny  of  her 
companion. 

What  did  it  mean — this  conspiracy  to  thrust 
upon  her  a  possibility  that  might,  indeed,  suggest 
itself  to  those  who  saw  only  the  outside,  but  that 
to  her  was  beyond  the  reach  of  contemplation  even 
in  the  recesses  of  her  own  brain  ?  Her  cheeks 
burned,  and,  without  knowing  why,  hot  tears  rose 
to  her  eyes.     She  dashed  them   away,  impatient 


A  MAN'S  CO]^SCIE]SrCE.  195 

that  the  chance  words  she  had  overheard  could  so 
disturb  her. '  She  had  other  things  to  think  about 
besides  idle  gossipings  not  intended  for  her  ear. 

Glancing  in  the  mirror  before  which  she  stood, 
to  make  sure  that  no  traces  of  agitation  were 
visible  in  her  tell-tale  face,  she  saw  only  luminous 
eyes  that  shone  with  an  added  light,  like  the  hid- 
den gleam  of  blue  sapphires  ;  a  well-poised  head 
crowned  with  soft  rings  of  sunlit  hair ;  a  milk- 
white  throat  and  perfect  arms ;  a  lithe,  well-pro- 
portioned form,  that  in  its  softly-draped  gown  of 
dense  white  suggested  those  sculptured  ones  we 
sometimes  name  as  models  of  perfection.  Whether 
what  the  glass  reflected  restored  her  calm  reliance 
upon  herself  or  no,  it  would  be  difficult  to  say ; 
but,  at  all  events,  a  few  minutes  later  she  entered 
the  drawing-room  with  all  her  quiet  self-possession 
restored.  Even  Mrs.  Laughton-Seabury  would 
have  found  difficulty  in  again  ruffling  that  repose- 
ful manner. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

With  some  temperaments  the  act  of  confession 
seems  to  imply  a  certainty  of  absolution.  Casting 
the  burden  of  our  fault  upon  another,  we  calmly 
enter  upon  the  enjoyment  of  that  peace  which 
ought  to  wait  upon  expiation.  The  confessor  be- 
comes the  penitent ;  while,  lightened  of  our  load, 
we  gladly  assume  the  ease  of  innocence.  Something 
of  this  kind  occurred  in  Godfrey's  case  :  having 
eased  his  heart  of  the  burden  that  had  become  to 
him  so  heavy,  he  straightway  seemed  to  forget 
that  he  ever  had  borne  its  weight.  Indeed,  had 
this  confidence  been  a  tangible  load,  visible  to  mor- 
tal sight,  one  could  have  believed  that  he  had 
transferred  it  bodily  to  his  cousin's  shoulders.  In 
proportion  as  he  grew  lighter  of  heart  by  reason  of 
his  confession,  Gwendolen  appeared  cast  down  by 
its  weight. 

She  had  never  tried  to  define  her  feelings  towards 
Godfrey,  but  now,  for  the  first  time,  she  realized 
that  an  underlying  thought  of  him,  perhaps  an  in- 
definite hope,  had  colored  all  her  dreams  of  the 
future.  Possibly  she  would  even  now  have  denied 
that  she  loved  him  with  more  than  a  cousin's  nat- 
ural affection,  yet  the  dull  sense  of  loss  that  fol- 
lowed the  acute  pain  Godfrey^s  story  had  caused 


A   MA]^'S   C0NSC1E]^CE.  197 

was  not  to  be  easily  stifled  ;  by  means  of  it  she  had 
better  learned  to  understand  herself.  This  knowl- 
edge was  not  without  compensating  features.  Since 
their  walk  through  the  larches^  that  indefinable 
something  which  had  stood  between  them  had 
vanished^  leaving  the  old  bond  of  entire  confi- 
dence. Whether  Gwendolen  was  the  gainer  thereby 
admitted  of  doubt^  but,  at  all  events,  Godfrey 
seemed  to  thoroughly  rejoice  in  the  renewal  of 
their  old  relations. 

Gwendolen  was  not  one  who  could  enter  into  a 
compact  of  any  nature  without  some  definite  in- 
tention. When  she  had  answered  -  Godfrey^s  ap- 
peal with  a  promise,  she  had  indeed  foreseen  a 
struggle  with  her  own  heart  ;  but  were  it  to  be 
crushed  she  would  still  endeavor  faithfully  to  se- 
cure her  cousin^s  welfare,  and,  she  added,  the 
happiness  of  the  woman  he  loved.  She  repeated 
these  words  often,  as  though  trying  to  accustom 
herself  to  a  new  and  difficult  formula. 

It  seemed  strange  to  her  that  she  had  never  an- 
ticipated so  natural  a  position.  Many  young  men 
marry ;  most  of  them  love  at  some  time  or  other — 
few  certainly  reach  Godfrey^s  age  without  expe- 
riencing a  romantic  attachment  of  some  nature. 
Why  should  she  not  have  looked  forward  to  this 
same  experience  in  his  case  ? 

But  as  these  questions  brought  no  satisfactory 
replies,  she  apparently  asked  them  only  for  the 
purpose  of  inflicting  pain  upon  herself.  One  was 
reminded  of  a  penitent  still  beating  himself  with 


198  A   MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

knotted  cord  long  after  his  penance  was  at  an  end, 
merely  for  the  sake  of  proving  what  human  nature 
could  endure. 

Seated  one  day  in  her  own  bright  morning-room, 
she  was  asking  herself,  for  the  fortieth  time,  the 
same  goading  questions  that  always  baffled  her. 
How  was  she  to  help  Godfrey  ?  How  was  she  to 
redeem  her  promise  ?  What  could  she  do  towards 
the  unravelling  of  that  mystery  which  now  shut 
out  his  happiness  ?  She  had  even  got  so  far  in  her 
reflections  as  the  consideration  of  a  possible  visit 
to  Milly  in  person,  and  was  planning  an  imaginary 
conversation  in  which  she  would  prove  Godfrey's 
loyalty,  and  suggest  Milly's  return  to  him  under 
her  own  sheltering  wing,  when  her  thoughts  met 
with  an  unusual  interruption  by  reason  of  the  en- 
trance of  her  aunt. 

Lady  Galbraith  came  forward  slowly,  leaning  on 
her  crutch-stick,  showing  little  of  her  old  vigor 
either  in  face  or  form. 

^^  Ah,  what  an  unexpected  pleasure,  dear  aunt ! 
Your  visits  have  of  late  been  as  few  as  angels',  and 
I  am  sure  no  angel  could  be  more  welcome  V  ex- 
claimed Gwendolen,  hastening  to  assist  her  aunt 
to  an  easy-chair  in  a  cosy  corner.  ^^  Now  we  shall 
have  one  of  our  old-fashioned  mornings  together. 
First,  I  shall  make  you  comfortable  with  pillows 
and  a  footstool,  and  then  I  shall  read  aloud  one  of 
your  favorite  books.     Shall  I,  auntie  dear  ?  " 

^^  You  are  very  unselfish,  my  dear,  and  I  am^  al- 
ways glad  to  hear  your  sweet  voice ;  but  I  have 


A  MAK'S  COKSCIEi^CE.  199 

come  to  have  a  little  talk  with  yoii^  my  Gwendolen/' 
Lady  Galbraith  answered.  ''  I  have  been  thinking 
that  it  is  not  wise  to  put  off  any  longer  whatever 
is  left  for  me  to  do.  A  strange  uncertainty  sur- 
rounds me^  and  gives  warning  that  soon  I  may  not 
be  able  to  speak  as  I  now  do.  Some  days  I  can  feel 
the  numbness  creeping  even  to  my  brain^  and  there 
may  come  one  when  it  will  never  depart  again. 
When  that  time  comes  my  children  must  not  weep 
for  me.     On  the  whole,  I  shall  have  few  regrets. ^^ 

^^  Why  do  you  dwell  upon  such  remote  possibili- 
ties ? "  asked  Gwendolen,  kneeling  beside  her. 
^^  You  are  much  stronger  lately  ;  see  what  a  walk 
you  have  taken  to  come  to  my  room  !  I  shall  not 
let  you  dwell  on  gruesome  things.  Besides,  who 
can  tell  when  any  one^s  time  may  come  ?  The 
youngest  of  us  may  be  called  to  go  first,  you  know, 
dear.''^ 

'^1  hope  not.  Certainly  not  you  or  Godfrey. 
You  are  young,  and  have  everything  before  you. 
I  am  planning  for  you  a  long  lifetime  of  joy  to- 
gether.'^ 

^^I  hope  Godfrey  will  know  only  happiness, 
wherever  his  life  is  passed. ^^ 

Lady  Galbraith  regarded  her  niece  question- 
ingly. 

'^  I  must  speak  of  what  I  mean  more  definitely, 
Gwendolen.  It  will  not  be  a  new  thought  that  I 
am  confiding  to  you,  but  the  dearest  wish  of  my 
heart.  Since  you  came  to  me  a  helpless  infant, 
deprived  of  both  father's  and  mother's  love  even 


200  A  MAK'S   CONSCIEIS^CE. 

before  you  felt  tlieir  need^  you  have  been  to  me 
like  a  beloved  daughter.  Nearest  to  Godfrey  in 
years  of  any  of  my  children,  you  grew  up  with  him 
in  closest  sympathy.  Through  all  the  years  of  your 
childhood,  schooldays,  and  l-ater  life  I  have  kept 
the  hope  green  in  my  heart  that  one  day  I  should 
see  you  my  son^s  wife. 

^^  Perhaps  you  will  think  that  such  a  suggestion 
should  not  come  first  from  me — that  Godfrey 
should  be  the  one  to  open  the  door  of  his  heart  and 
show  you  what  is  treasured  therein.  You  may  say 
that  I  am  a  doting  old  woman,  and  past  the  knowl- 
edge of  young  hearts  ;  that  I  haven't  the  right  to 
speak  in  my  son's  name.  But  if  you  knevf  all, 
you  would  conclude  differently." 

Lady  Galbraith  straightened  herself  in  her  chair, 
with  some  of  the  old  fire  animating  her  usually 
immobile  features.  This  subject  was  to  her  like  the 
sound  of  a  bugle  to  an  old  war-horse  ;  she  roused 
to  a  temporary  belief  in  her  own  power. 

^^  There  are  reasons,  which  it  may  not  be  well  to 
dwell  upon,  that  render  Godfrey  singularly  doubt- 
ful of  his  position  towards  you  ;  he  hesitates,  not 
knowing  how  you  might  receive  a  proposal  of 
marriage  from  him.  It  is  not  worth  while  to  de- 
fine these  reasons  ;  they  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  present.  Men  oftentimes  are  influenced  by 
circumstances  that  we  would  find  difficulty  in  un- 
derstanding even  if  explained.  If  for  a  time  God- 
frey fell,  away  from  us,  and  embraced  a  life  foreign 
to  every  instinct  of  his  nature,  it  does  not  follow 


A  3IAN'S   COKSCIEI^CE.  201 

that  he  has  not  returned  more  than  ever  desirous 
of  spending  the  rest  of  it  in  your  service/^ 

^^0  aunt/^  began  Gwendolen  in  real  distress, 
^^  please  do  not  think  of  this — you  cannot  know  of 
what  you  are  speaking.  Godfrey  would  be  pained 
beyond  measure  did  he  know  of  your  proposal. 
Do  not,  I  beg,  suggest  such  a  possibility  to  him. 
He  has  many  plans  and  other  intentions.  You 
will  not  think  me  unmindful  of  your  love  in  desir- 
ing this,  but,  dear  aunt,  don^t  you  see  it  can  never 
be?^^ 

''  I  am  the  best  judge  of  what  is  well  for  my  son, 
my  child.  I  know  more  of  his  life  and  intentions 
than  perhaps  you  are  aware.  He  has  passed  those 
youthful  days  when  indiscretion  may  be  pardoned 
by  reason  of  immaturity.  He  has  arrived  at  that 
time  of  life  when  he  mxust  take  upon  him  its  cares 
and  responsibilities.  To  meet  these  worthily,  he 
requires  the  influence  of  home  and  the  love  of  a 
true  woman.  He  should  marry.  Through  a  sin- 
gular fatality  he  has  attained  a  position  his  wife 
might  well  be  proud  to  share.  But  this  is  not  all : 
he  has  much  besides  worldly  possessions  to  offer 
her.  Perhaps  it  is  not  fitting  for  an  over-fond 
mother  to  dv/ell  upon  those  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  that  render  him  attractive.  To  you  at  least 
there  is  no  need  of  their  repetition.  His  surely  is 
not  a  cause  to  be  pleaded  in  vain.^^ 

Gwendolen  sank  upon  the  floor  at  her  aunt's 
feet,  her  fingers  interlaced  about  her  knees,  her 
head  drooping. 


202  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

This  was  an  agony  she  might  have  been  spared, 
she  thought. 

It  was  enough  to  do  battle  with  her  own  heart 
without  this  struggle  from  without.  Each  word 
her  aunt  spoke  felt  like  the  stab  of  a  sharp  knife, 
and  yet  how  could  she  end  the  pain?  Her  aunt 
either  was  ignorant  of  her  son^s  engagement  to  the 
young  girl  he  had  left  in  Minnesota,  or  else  she 
considered  that  his  new  life  so  estranged  him 
from  that  of  which  Milly  had  been  a  part  as  to 
practically  annul  all  past  obligations.  She  could 
not  tell  how  much  of  Godfrey's  confidence  had  been 
given  his  mother,  or  what  ground  she  had  for  con- 
sidering her  son  free.  She  knew  that  he  was  not  free. 
He  was  bound  by  every  sense  of  honor  to  fulfil  the 
vow  made  to  the  innocent  girl  who  believed  in  him. 
So  far  there  was  no  sterner  barrier  between  them 
than  that  of  silence,  and  this,  which  might  be  traced 
to  accident  merely,  was  surely  not  a  sufficient  ex- 
cuse for  either  distrust  or  indifference.  If  he  loved 
her,  and  had  promised  to  make  her  his  wife,  there 
was  but  one  way.  ■  Gwendolen's  ethical  laws  were 
of  the  simplest  construction,  and  to  her  mind  bore 
but  one  interpretation.  Her  aunt's  proposal  was 
as  far  removed  from  consideration  as  though  she 
had  already  heard  the  irrevocable  vows  of  the 
Church  interchanged  between  Godfrey  and  Milly. 
He  belonged  to  ^lilly  by  all  the  right  of  a  solemn 
engagement,  and  it  would  not  be  Gwendolen's 
part — the  part  of  one  who  loved  him — to  counsel  her 
rejection.    She  did  not  believe  him  capable  of  such 


A   MAK'S   COXSCIEIvrCE.  203 

dishonor.  Whatever  his  feelings  now  were — and 
she  thought  she  had  heard  more  than  the  mere 
words  of  his  broken  confession — still  she  realized 
that  no  measure  of  content  existed  in  the  denial  of 
his  obligation.  In  her  mind's  vision  she  still  be- 
held him  as  he  had  a]3peared  that  night,  and  the 
remembrance  gave  her  strength. 

Kneeling  again  beside  her  aunt,  she  took  her 
thin  lifeless  hands  between  her  own  warm  young 
ones. 

^^Dear  aunt/^  she  said,  ^^you  will  let  me  be  to 
you  as  a  daughter,  just  as  it  has  ever  been.  I  shall 
never  leave  you  if  you  will  let  me  stay.  I  shall 
minister  to  you  always  with  a  child's  fond  affection. 
I  love  to  feel  that  I  am  necessary  to  you  ;  that  you 
think  my  place  would  be  hard  to  fill.  It  is  all 
dear  as  the  breath  of  life  to  me.  You  will  not 
send  me  away !  Godfrey,  too,"  she  said  with  an 
effort,  ''  is  like  a  beloved  brother.  I  only  ask  a 
sister's  place  at  his  side.  Let  us  think  of  other 
things.  The  time  will  come  when  Godfrey  will 
marry,  and  I" — with  a  sad  attempt  at  a  smile — 
^^well,  I  shall  be  the  old-maid  aunt  who  spoils  his 
children." 

^^The  idea  is  ridiculous  —  preposterous  I '^  ex- 
claimed Lady  Galbraith,  with  all  her  old  vehe- 
mence. ^^  What  madness  can  prompt  you  to  thus 
thwart  my  most  cherished  wishes  ?  What  are  the 
bonds  of  family,  the  ties  of  affection,  if  they  carry 
with  them  no  obligation?  Must  the  whim  of  the 
moment  outweigh  every  unselfish  consideration? 


204:  A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

Yoli  are  deliberately  ruining  your  own  life  and  his, 
through  some  misconception.  Why  will  you  be  so 
blind  ?  Cannot  you  see  what  is  apparent  to  many 
besides  myself,  that  Godfrey  loves  you  ?  '^ 

Lady  Galbraith's  face  was  bloodless,  and  she 
spoke  with  labored  effort.  Gwendolen  remembered 
the  warning  of  the  doctors — that  any  unnatural 
excitement  might  cost  her  aunf's  life.  Yet  now 
she  saw  her  roused  to  a  pitch  of  irritability  not 
easily  soothed. 

Taking  her  aunt^s  hand,  she  said  quietly  : 

^^  Forgive  me,  aunt,  if  I  seem  unfeeling  or  ob- 
stinate. I  know  that  I  owe  everything  to  you, 
and  would  willingly  obey  you  in  all  things  dkl  the 
command  only  affect  me;  but  the  happiness  of 
others  is  at  stake.  You  surely  would  be  the  last 
one  to  counsel  an  injustice.  Let  us  try  to  forget 
all  that  you  have  urged,  and  once  more  go  on  com- 
fortably as  before.  Come,  let  me  begin  by  wheel- 
ing up  the  sofa  and  tucking  you  up  in  front  of  the 
fire  while  I  read  to  you.^^ 

But  Lady  Galbraith  was  not  inclined  for  a  cosy 
morning.  For  once  she  preferred  the  solitude  of 
her  own  room  to  the  society  of  her  favorite  niece. 
She  got  up  feebly,  accepting  the  offer  of  Gwendo- 
len's arm,  and  said  she  believed  she  would  return 
to  her  own  room. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  dragged  wearily.  It 
seemed  to  Gwendolen  thxat  weeks  instead  of  hours 
made  up  its  length.  For  the  last  few  days  God- 
frey had  been  absent  from  Bainhurst,  called  away 
by  the  exigency  of  some  business  detail.  Follow- 
ing this  short  visit  would  be  one  of  longer  dura- 
tion^ as  he  intended  to  join  his  brothers^  who 
had  already  preceded  him  to  one  of  his  estates  in 
Ayrshire. 

It  had  been  at  first  arranged  that  the  Dowager 
Lady  Galbraith,  with  Gwendolen,  should  join  the 
party  there,  but  the  former's  continued  helpless- 
ness rendered  the  journey  a  serious  undertaking, 
and  it  had  for  this  reason  been  finally  abandoned. 
Lilian,  too,  was  away,  and  so  Gwendolen  found 
herself  practically  alone,  and  thrown  on  her  own 
resources  for  occupation  and  amusement. 

After  her  aunt's  visit  that  morning  she  experi- 
enced some  difficulty  in  settling  to  any  of  the 
usual  home  employments.  She  tried  her  embroid- 
ery, but  found  no  pleasure  in  tracing  its  intrica- 
cies ;  she  attempted  reading,  but  found  that  to  be 
no  less  irritating  ;  she  took  up  her  pen  with  the 
thought  of  a  profitable  morning  spent  over  her 
correspondence,  but  soon  threw  it  down,  proving 


206  A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

this  effort  as  dull  and  lifeless  as  the  others  that 
had  failed.  She  had  never  been  so  dissatisfied  with 
herself  or  more  inclined  to  deal  harshly  with  her 
own  shortcomings.  This  was  a  condition  of  mind 
so  new  in  her  even  existence  as  to  be  wliolly  mis- 
understood, and  therefore  met  with  no  excuse  or 
compromise  at  her  hands.  Gentle  in  her  dealing 
wdth  others'  failings,  Gwendolen  acknowledged  no 
palliation  for  her  own,  and  in  consequence  her 
expiations  were  self-imposed  and  severe.  Strug- 
gling thus  with  a  succession  of  varying  moods,  the 
day  at  length  passed. 

Finally,  after  a  solitary  dinner,  which  her  aunt 
had  been  unable  to  share,  Gwendolen,  still  revolv- 
ing the  problems  her  aunt's  words  had  suggested, 
found  herself  seeking  the  relief  that  physical  ac- 
tivity sometimes  secures.  Up  and  down  the  ter- 
race her  firm  young  steps  carried  her,  and  with 
every  turn  a  better  understanding,  even  the  prom- 
ise of  hope,  renewed  itself  within  her. 

The  night  was  clear,  with  wide  distances  show- 
ing between  the  stars,  but  with  the  light  of  a  full 
moon  softening  every  outline  of  the  view.  Its 
exquisite  glory  wrought  at  last  a  change  in  Gwen- 
dolen's perturbed  being.  Stopping  now  and 
then  in  her  walk  whilst  she  leaned  against  the 
coping  of  an  ancient  balustrade,  she  drank  in  all 
the  calming  influence  of  the  peaceful  scene.  An 
irresistible  longing  for  a  closer  communion  with 
the  spirit  that  brooded  over  the  night  caused  her 
to  gather  up  the  folds  of  her  long  evening  dress. 


A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  207 

while  slie  ran  with  light  step  in  the  direction  of 
the  stables.  Meeting  one  of  the  grooms  on  the 
way,  she  gave  an  order  for  her  horse  to  be  saddled 
and  brought  to  a  door  she  indicated,  where  pres- 
ently she  would  appear  ready  equipped  for  a  ride. 

Changing  her  dress  quickly,  she  was  waiting  at 
the  place  designated  by  the  time  the  horse  was  led 
from  the  stable.  Springing  upon  his  back,  she 
dismissed  the  groom,  saying  she  would  not  require 
his  attendance,  as  she  should  scarcely  go  beyond 
sight  of  the  house. 

This,  indeed,  was  her  first  intention,  but  before 
she  had  more  than  once  made  the  circuit  of  the 
larch  wood  she  had  forgotten  the  hour  and  what- 
ever improj)riety  there  might  be  in  a  more  ex- 
tended ride  through  the  moonlit  night.  Turning 
into  a  narrow  lane  that  seemed  almost  dark  in 
comparison  with  the  open  spaces  of  the  park,  she 
came  out  upon  a  wide  tongue  of  open  land  that 
stretched  high  above  a  miniature  plain  lying  many 
feet  below. 

The  view  from  the  furthest  point  was  extended 
and  at  all  times  attractive,  but  to-night,  touched 
with  the  same  softened  radiance  that  lay  over  all 
the  land,  it  seemed  particularly  beautiful.  Can- 
tering her  horse  to  the  very  edge  of  the  precipitous 
cliff,  Gwendolen  soon  was  lost  to  every  sensation 
save  the  enjoyment  of  what  lay  before  her. 

J^ear  at  hand  the  light  fell  full  and  intense,  re- 
vealing every  leaf  on  tree  and  bush  in  distinct 
outline.      Duplicated  in  shadow,  they  lay  again 


208  A   MAN'S   CONSCIEI^CE. 

across  the  greensward^  showing  in  dark  well- 
defined  shapes  on  the  level  space.  The  horse  and 
rider,  too,  stood  out  against  the  illuminated  back- 
ground like  a  single  clearly-cut  silhouette.  Far 
below,  the  little  plain  lay  in  purple  shadow,  that 
again  melted  to  a  fringe  of  olive,  where  borders  of 
willows  lined  the  turbid  stream  flowing  through. 
This,  too,  merged  and  was  lost  in  a  flashing  silver 
channel  that  met  the  waters  of  a  greater  deep 
somewhere  far  out  on  the  horizon.  Across  the 
channel  arose  the  irregular  outline  of  distant  hills; 
they,  too,  shaded  by  the  evening  light,  appeared 
only  like  faintly  tinted  clouds  rising  from  out  the 
water. 

Athwart  the  path  of  moonlight  that  cleft  the 
Avaters  of  the  channel  every  now  and  then  a  white 
sail  dipped  like  the  wing  of  some  great  seagull. 
Then,  again  failing  to  catch  the  light  on  outspread 
canvas,  the  boat  vanished  as  mystically  as  it  had 
appeared,  engulfed  by  shadows. 

The  silence,  the  wide  expanse  of  view,  the  ab- 
solute repose  that  surrounded  her,  even  the  soli- 
tariness of  her  position,  all  exerted  upon  Gwendo- 
len their  healing  power.  The  perplexities  of  the 
day  were  ■  for  the  moment  forgotten,  or,  at  least, 
lost  some  of  their  harassing  importunity.  Temp- 
tation, too,  the  subtlest  of  all  her  assailants,  ceased 
to  whisper,  cast  behind  by  the  influence  of  a  serener 
consciousness.  She  felt  lifted  out  of  herself,  and 
longed  with  all  her  soul  that  she  might  continue 
in  the  spirit  which  had  stolen  upon  her. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  209 

So  absorbed  had  she  become  that  another  horse 
and  rider  had  emerged  from  the  green  arched  lane 
and  were  almost  at  her  side  before  she  observed 
their  approach.  Startled  by  the  sound  of  horse's 
hoofs  beating  their  way  over  the  moist  tnrf^  she  re- 
alized her  loneliness  far  removed  from  human  aid, 
no  matter  what  befell.  She  almost  repented  of 
her  adventure,  and  wished  at  least  that  Myles,  the 
groom,  were  near.  Indeed,  in  the  approaching 
rider  she  hoped  she  might  recognize  him  come  in 
search  of  her.  Nevertheless  she  scarcely  dared  put 
the  question  to  the  test  by  facing  the  horseman. 
Gathering  up  the  bridle,  however,  in  her  trem- 
bling fingers,  she  decided  upon  a  hasty  retreat,  but 
before  she  could  turn  her  horse^s  head  she  had  re- 
alized who  it  was  that  reined  his  horse  beside  her. 

Eecognizing  Godfrey,  a  sense  of  infinite  relief 
overpowered  every  other  sensation.  She  even  for- 
got to  wonder  at  his  fortunate  appearance  at  the 
very  moment  when  she  had  supposed  him  many 
miles  away. 

^^  0  Godfrey  !  I  am  so  glad  it  is  you  !  You  have 
no  idea  of  the  terrors  I  underwent  in  the  moment 
before  I  recognzied  you  \''  she  exclaimed.  ^^You 
see  I  had  no  idea  at  first  of  coming  so  far,  and 
wouldn't  let  Myles  accompany  me ;  but  the  night 
was  so  charming  and  Colin  so  enticing  that  before 
I  was  aware  I  found  myself  on  the  way  here.  I 
couldn't  turn  back  then  without  seeing  ^the  road 
to  heaven,'  as  we  used  to  call  the  moonlight  lying 
across  the  water.     Do  you  remember?  " 

14 


210  A  MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

^^  Yes,  I  remember/^  repeated  Godfrey  a  little 
crossly.  '^  But  do  you  know,  Gwen,  you  have 
given  me  the  worst  fright  I  ever  had  in  all  my  life ! 
I  don^t  mind  confessing  that  that  last  quarter  of  a 
mile  was  by  far  the  longest  I  have  ever  travelled. 
Hearing  you  were  out  on  Colin,  I  supposed  I  should 
overtake  you  somewhere  within  the  bridle-paths 
near  the  house  ;  but  when  you  were  not  to  be 
found  in  them  I  followed  on,  knowing  your  fond- 
ness for  this  especial  point.  But,  Gwen,  do  you 
know,  you  must  not  try  this  again.  If  any  harm 
came  to  you  I  believe  I  couldn't  live.  Even  now  I 
am  half  stifled  by  the  beating  of  my  heart.'' 

He  took  her  hand  and  laid  it  against  his  breast, 
with  his  own  tightly  pressed  upon  it. 

She-  laughed  a  little,  but  nervously,  trying  to 
withdraw  her  hand. 

"  Will  you  promise  me  not  to  ride  so  far  again 
without  some  one — without  me  to  protect  you  ?  " 
he  asked  impetuously. 

Gwendolen  laughed  again,  but  this  time  more 
mirthfully.  ^^  That  would  indeed  be  a  restrictive 
promise.  I  might  as  well  say  farewell  to  Colin  at 
once,  and  prepare  him  for  a  useless  old  age." 

''  You  know  what  I  mean,  Gwen  ;  I  long  to  be 
with  you  always.  I  would  be  glad  if  not  a  day  or 
an  hour  need  be  passed  away  from  you.  Do  you 
not  know  why  I  am  here  now  ? "  he  went  on 
eagerly.  ^'  You  do  not  question  me  or  ask  why  I 
returned  so  unexpectedly.     Can  you  not  guess  ?  " 

Why,  indeed  ?   Gwendolen  had  not  asked.     In 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEl^CE.  211 

the  relief  of  finding  him  beside  her  she  had  for- 
gotten that  his  return  was  wholly  surprising  and 
unlooked  for.  She  regarded  her  cousin  inquir- 
ingly, but  she  did  not  trust  her  voice  to  ask  the 
question.  The  intuition  that  comes  to  every  wo- 
man once,  if  never  again,  told  her  what  the  answer 
must  be.  She  longed  for  the  words  she  felt  he 
must  speak,  and  yet  dreaded  —  she  knew  not 
what. 

^^Gwen,  I  came  back  because  my  heart  called 
me.  I  could  not  stay  away.  I  tried  to  interest 
myself  in  the  business  that  required  my  attention  ; 
I  attempted  to  find  diversion  in  company  and  excite- 
ment, the  usual  programme — dinners,  theatres,  the 
clubs  :  you  know  all  the  bachelor  devices  for  kill- 
ing time.  I  thought  I  would  grow  accustomed  to 
being  away  after  the  first  day  or  two  ;  but  what- 
ever I  did  or  wherever  I  went,  it  was  but  a  pre- 
tence of  enjoyment.  I  was  longing  for  the  sight 
of  but  one  face  in  all  the  world.  I  was  listening  for 
the  sound  of  the  voice  that  to  me  is  the  sweetest 
God  ever  made.  Finally,  carrying  out  my  plan,  I 
found  myself  booked  for  the  north.  I  had  even 
settled  myself  in  the  train  for  the  long  night 
journey,  and  was  almost  on  my  way,  when  the 
thought  of  you  became  more  than  I  could  resist. 
It  drew  me  by  an  irresistible  influence.  I  sprang 
from  the  carriage,  took  a  cab  to  Paddington,  and 
came  down  by  the  first  train.  Finding  Myles 
mounted  and  just  starting  in  search  of  you,  I  took 
his  horse  and  followed  you  here.     Am  I  a  fool. 


212  A   MAN'S   CO]N"SCIE]^CE. 

Gwendolen^  to  care  so  much  ?  Am  I  worse  than 
that  in  your  eyes,  knowing  what  you  do  ?  do  you 
despise  me  ?  Tell  me/^  he  urged  ;  ^^  I  must  know. 
All  my  life  hangs  upon  your  answer/^ 

The  two  horses,  under  the  spell  of  the  night, 
had  drawn  closer  together,  with  heads  touching  in 
interchange  of  friendly  confidence.  The  figures 
above  them  had  also  become  blended  in  the  one 
shadow  cast,  until  a  grotesque  outline,  like  that  of 
some  giant  wood-god,  stretched  upon  the  grass. 

A  faint  breath  of  stirring  air  carried  the  sound 
of  a  woman^s  voice,  accompanied  by  a  clearly- 
struck  stringed  instrument,  from  the  level  below. 
That,  too,  was  but  a  part  of  the  witchery  of  the 
night,  and  one  felt  no  desire  to  embody  the  melody 
or  trace  it  to  any  human  source.  It  seemed  but  a 
fitting  undertone  to  a  fuller  harmony.  To  Gwen- 
dolen it  was  as  unreal  as  the  glamour  that  sur- 
rounded her. 

What  was  there,  after  all,  to  prevent  her  giving 
way  to  the  demand  of  her  heart  ?  Was  it  not  beat- 
ing in  answering  response  to  every  word  that  God- 
frey uttered  ?  She  knew  why  he  had  come  back  ; 
she  had  known  even  before  he  spoke.  She  had 
realized  long  before  that  what  had  become  the 
governing  motive  of  his  existence ;  but,  0  !  how 
she  had  tried  to  blind  her  eyes  and  dull  her  under- 
standing !  Even  to-day — it  seemed  a  century  ago 
— she  had  not  been  quite  honest  with  herself.  She 
had  spoken  of  Godfrey  dispassionately,  almost 
coldly,  saying  what  was  best  for  him,  what  was 


A  MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  213 

wrong  for  lier^  and  all  the  while  she  was  playing  a 
part^  making  the  hollo  west  pretence. 

She  loved  him  ;  she  could  acknowledge  it  now 
with  her  hand  in  his,  and  the  moonlight  encom- 
passing them  in  its  sheltering  embrace.  She  loved 
him  as  a  woman  loves  a  man  who  alone  of  all  man- 
kind can  ever  by  her  be  called  husband.  She  loved 
him  with  the  accumulated  strength  of  all  her  years 
— no  longer  the  simple  affection  of  youth,  but  the 
strong  overmastering  love  of  mature  years.  She 
did  not  try  to  disguise  the  truth  any  longer,  or  to 
hide  it  from  herself.  She  knew  that  the  one  dom- 
inant passion  of  all  her  life  had  been,  and  must 
ever  be,  love  for  Godfrey. 

The  moon  had  already  ridden  far  in  her  nightly 
circuit.  Her  way  admitted  of  no  impediment.  It 
was  a  majestic  progress — calm,  clear,  definite  ;  from 
horizon  to  horizon  lay  her  path,  and  without  haste 
or  delay  she  trod  the  blue  glory  of  the  sky.  The 
shadows  upon  the  turf  still  showed  every  tiny  leaf 
and  twig  reproduced  in  perfect  outline.  Even  ^^the 
great  god  Pan^^  would  have  looked  again,  could 
he  have  beheld  the  shadowy  mingling  of  hoofs  of 
horse  and  head  of  man  that  the  moonlight  cast  upon 
the  earth.  The  woman^s  voice  rose  and  fell  in  full 
rich  cadence,  while  the  clear  strumming  of  the 
strings  kept  it  company. 

Gwendolen's  pulses  beat  high.  Life  looked  full 
to  the  brim  of  joy  and  beauty,  if  only  it  could  be 
imprisoned  on  a  night  like  this.  Had  she  not  a 
right  in  its  fullest  enjoyment,  and   did  not  this 


214  A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE. 

right  mean  a  surrender  of  her  heart  to  this  man 
whom  she  loved?  What  stood  between  ?  Love  is 
not  of  necessity  selfish,  and  the  joy  would  not  be 
hers  alone. 

That  very  day  even  Godfrey^s  mother  had  come 
to  her,  saying,  ^^ Will  you  become  my  son^s  wife? 
He  loves  you,  and,  more  than  all  else  on  earth,  I 
desire  to  call  you  daughter/^ 

What,  indeed,  could  be  more  natural  ?  Would 
she  not  secure  the  happiness  of  all  those  who  were 
dear  to  her — dear  as  life — by  yielding  to  the  dic- 
tates of  love  ?  Ah  !  but  was  this  the  question  ? 
What,  indeed,  stood  between  ? 

The  wind  blew  fresher,  bringing  a  whiff  of  salt 
on  its  breezy  breath.  The  woman^s  voice  grew 
more  and  more  indistinct,  and  presently  was  lost  in 
some  bend  of  the  shore.  The  horses  pawed  im- 
patiently ;  having  finished  their  interchange  of 
good-fellowship,  their  thoughts  turned  towards 
warm  stalls  and  sweet  fodder.  These  young  people 
were  strangely  forgetful — they  must  be  reminded 
of  home. 

Godfrey ^s  voice  broke  the  stillness.  "  You  know 
what  you  are  to  me,  Gwen,^^  he  repeated.  ^^No 
one  else  has  ever  been  so  dear,  believe  me.  'No  one 
could  ever  be  more  cherished.  You  are  like  a 
guiding  spirit.  I  cannot  live  without  you.  You 
are  my  inspiration,  my  conscience. ^^ 

Gwendolen  started.  Could  this  indeed  be  so  ? 
His  conscience  !  Was  it  possible  for  any  mortal  to 
hold  that  place  ?     That  implied  a  relation  she  had 


A  MAIL'S  co:srsciENCE.  215 

never  thought  of  before^  surely  the  most  serious 
one  soul  could  hold  towards  another.  His  con- 
science !  Was  it  given  into  her  hands,  then,  to 
guide  and  strengthen,  perhaps  redeem,  this  man 
whom  she  loved  ?  AVas  it  her  part  to  lead  him 
towards  what  was  noblest,  even  though  her  feet 
were  cut  and  her  limbs  bleeding  ?  Possibly  there 
was  a  goal  of  right  to  be  reached  by  him  through 
denial  and  by  her  through  the  cross  of  suffering. 
She  had  not  before  realized  the  sacred  possibilities 
of  love.  Was  she  willing,  then,  to  put  that  goal 
beyond  his  reach  by  yielding  to  the  temptation  over 
which  they  both  hovered  ?  Could  she,  doing  vio- 
lence to  every  inward  admonition,  say  :  ^^  Yes,  I 
love  you  ;  let  me  supplant  the  memory  even  of  that 
other  whom  you  once  thought  you  loved  !  Let 
us  wipe  out  all  that  has  made  up  your  days  except 
where  they  have  touched  mine  !  Together  we  will 
frame  a  life  secure  in  our  own  happiness,  free  from 
remembrance  and  without  regret.^^ 

Gwendolen  could  hear  the  quick  throbbing  of 
Godf rey^s  heart  as  he  leaned  near  to  her.  His  face 
looked  white,  uplifted  in  the  moonlight,  and  his 
lips  trembled,  as  though  restraining  by  an  effort 
the  torrent  of  tenderness  that  rose  to  them.  She 
dared  not  look  at  him.  Leaning  far  down  over 
Colin^s  neck,  she  patted  his  mane  and  pretended 
an  interest  in  disentangling  some  part  of  its  silky 
length  from  the  bridle  she  held.  Bending  thus, 
her  voice  sounded  far  off  and  unnatural. 

^^  Listen,  Godfrey,  not  to  me — mine  is  not  the 


216  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

voice  to  guide  you — but  to  your  own  conscience  : 
what  does  it  tell  you  ?  That  there  is  no  place  in 
your  heart  for  me  except  in  the  old  w^ay.  We  have 
always  loved  each  other,  and  to  that  love  there 
need  be  no  end.  Its  inspiration  is  our  succor.  We 
must  consider  what  lies  before  you,  dear.  It 
is  not  for  me  to  say  whether  it  will  bring  the 
greatest  brightness ;  all  we  feel  sure  of  is  that  you 
may  not,  dare  not,  ignore  or  deny  the  plain  teach- 
ing of  your  inmost  consciousness.  You  well  know 
what  my  wish  is  for  you,  and — yes,  I  will  say  it — 
if  you  love  me  you  will  be  true  to  yourself.  ^^ 

^^Do  you  bid  me  sacrifice  every  hope,  every 
chance  of  hajDpiness,  to  the  mistake  of  a  summer 
day  ? ''  he  asked  bitterly. 

She  turned  her  horse's  head,  leaving  the  plain 
with  its  depth  of  purple  shade  and  fringe  of  olive, 
the  silent  water  flowing  to  the  flashing  sea,  the 
white-winged  boats  and  the  curling  outline  of  the 
tinted  hills. 

The  soft  fall  of  the  horses^  feet  was  the  only 
sound  in  the  silent  night. 

Presently  she  spoke  again  :  ^^  Will  you  try  again 
for  truth's  sake — for  your  own  sake — to  redeem 
your  promise  to  Milly?  Will  you  go  to  her  or 
make  one  more  attempt  to  hear  from  her,  finding 
out  in  some  way — there  must  be  ways — whether 
she  still  loves  you,  and  is  waiting  for  you  to  come 
and  make  her  your  wife  ? "  Gwendolen  shivered 
in  the  night  air.  The  words  sounded  cold  and 
pitiless ;  but  so  also  is  conscience. 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  217 

They  pierced  the  shell  of  that  subtle  admon- 
isher,  forcing  a  groan  from  Godfrey's  lips. 

^^If  I  do  this  which  you  advise  it  will  be  simply 
because  you  ask.  I  can  find  no  prompting  in  my 
own  heart  to  the  sacrifice.  Yet  I  seem  bereft  of 
choice  :  a  voice  speaks  through  you  whose  power  I 
own  and  whose  warning  I  am  unable  to  resist. 
But  if,  aftey  all,  nothing  comes  of  my  struggle — 
if  I  fail — then,  ah,  Gwen  ! ''  he  almost  whispered. 

She  touched  Colin  gently  with  the  soft  leather 
of  her  whip,  and  he,  knowing  the  touch,  bounded 
in  close  even  strides  over  the  turf.  Soon  they 
were  in  the  narrow  lane,  she  leading  the  way,  and 
then  out  upon  the  bridle-paths  winding  through 
the  wooded  park.  Some  deer,  startled  by  the  thud 
of  horses'  hoofs,  suddenly  left  the  shelter  of  quiet 
beds,  alert  and  watchful  with  strained  eye  and  ear, 
waiting  the  approach  of  a  possible  foe. 

Myles,  the  groom,  came  out  from  the  shadow  of 
the  porch  where  he  sleepily  awaited  the  return  of 
his  mistress,  while  Godfrey,  overtaking  Gwendolen, 
swung  himself  from  the  saddle  just  as  she  slipped 
from  hers.  Taking  her  hand  in  his  for  a  moment, 
he  asked  sadly : 

^^  Must  it,  then,  be  so  ?  Will  you  send  me  away?  " 

She  smiled  bravely,  though  the  stray  moonbeam 
that  found  her  face  had  never  that  whole  evening 
long  lighted  one  so  wan. 

*^It  is  not  I  who  speak,  but  the  voice  of  your 
own  soul,  dear  Godfrey.  Good-night,^'  she  added 
gently. 


218  A  MAN'S  COKSCIEiq-CE. 

^' Good-night/^  he  repeated;  but  he  bent  and 
kissed  her  hand  with  the  same  reverent  inclination 
that  a  devotee  uses  before  the  shrine  of  a  saint  he 
supplicates. 

Leaving  him,  she  went  in  under  the  dark  porch, 
out  of  the  moonlight,  away  from  the  love  she 
craved  —  alone  with  her  hearths  sacrifice.  He, 
mounting  his  horse  again,  rode  off  through  the 
shadows. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Godfrey  had  easily  become  accustomed  to  the 
change  in  his  prospects^  and  had  accepted  it,  as 
we  are  apt  to  accept  those  which  better  our  for- 
tunes, in  a  spirit  of  philosophy.  There  was  much 
to  be  regretted,  and  still  much  to  be  enjoyed. 
Why  waste  time  and  strength  in  battling  with  the 
inevitable  ?  There  is  little  to  be  gained  in  con- 
suming one's  energy  of  mind  and  body  over  a  past 
that  does  not  admit  of  reconstruction. 

Godfrey  had  dropped  at  once  into  the  present 
groove  without  resistance  or  friction.  After  all,  it 
was  the  life  to  which  he  had  been  born,  and  in  all 
regards  a  more  natural  one  than  that  he  had  tem- 
porarily embraced  in  the  West.  Whatever  he 
missed  of  freedom  was  more  than  compensated  for 
by  the  delightful  associations  of  home :  its  quiet 
influence  seemed  dearer  and  more  to  be  desired 
than  ever  before. 

He  no  longer  deluded  himself  with  the  proba- 
bility of  a  return  to  Minnesota — that  is,  to  live. 
He  still  owned  his  property  there,  though  nego- 
tiations were  now  in  progress  that  might  convey  it 
in  part,  at  least,  to  his  friend  Alexander  Hope.  But 
he  did  not  hasten  the  day  ;  indeed,  he  hesitated  to 
sever  all  connection  with  that  far-off  land.     He 


220  A   MAiq^'S   COKSCIEIS^CE. 

still  said  to  himself  that  he  intended  to  go  back 
there  before  long  for  a  visit,  perhaps,  and  then  he 
would  leave  it  to  Milly  to  decide  what  their  future 
was  to  be.  He  did  not  deny  his  obligation ;  he 
only  postponed  the  date  of  his  visit. 

Meantime,  carrying  out  his  promise  to  Gwen- 
dolen, he  had  despatched  another  letter  to  Milly, 
and  would  doubtless  be  influenced  by  whatever 
reply  he  might  receive  thereto.  This  last  had  been 
sent  to  the  care  of  the  Eev.  George  Boynton,  in 
the  hope  that  had  anything  befallen  Sandy — even 
his  possible  death  or  removal  from  the  farm — the 
letter  might  still,  through  the  clergyman,  be  con- 
veyed to  Milly^s  hand. 

He  had  ceased,  however,  to  reason  with  him- 
self, putting  off  for  the  present  any  more  decisive 
step.  He  was  content  to  drift  along  in  the  pleas- 
ant stream  of  old  association,  without  questioning 
himself  too  closely  or  analyzing  his  more  serious 
intentions. 

He  was  not  blind  to  the  advantages  he  enjoyed  : 
the  elan  of  his  position,  the  ready  deference  of  in- 
feriors, the  no  less  flattering  courtesy  of  his  equals, 
all  united  to  soothe  him  into  an  agreeable  estimate 
of  the  change  wrought  in  his  prospects. 

It  was  a  new  and  elating  sensation  to  have  one's 
name  solicited  by  every  known  and  unknown  society 
and  corporation  in  all  the  country  round,  to  find 
that  its  mere  sound  carried  more  influence  than 
the  ready  generosity  of  men  twice  his  age  and 
double  his  experience.     There  was  a  certain  satis- 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE.  221 

faction  in  finding  himself  quoted  as  an  authority 
on  subjects  hitherto  as  remote  from  his  knowledge 
or  interest  as  the  occult  sciences  or  the  worship  of 
Chinese  idols.  Without  effort  or  design^  he  found 
himself  already  a  person  of  distinction  and  popu- 
larity in  the  county. 

Then,  too,  with  boyish  pleasure  he  bec^-me  the 
centre  of  his  social  circle.  Young,  handsome, 
rich,  he  seemed  tasting  the  wine  of  popular  suc- 
cess. If  memories  crept  in  that  for  a  moment  cast 
a  cloud  over  his  bright  sky,  they  were  but  transi- 
tory, and  soon  vanished  before  interests  that  had 
become  engrossing. 

He  was  not  without  regret  for  those  days  when 
sorrow  had  been  unknown  to  him.  If  he  could 
have  placed  his  brother  again  in  the  position  he 
now  held  in  his  stead,  he  would  have  relinquished 
it  with  thanksgiving.  If  he  could  have  recalled 
those  childish  voices  to  re-echo  in  Lilian^s  desolate 
home,  he  would  willingly  have  endured  any  hard- 
ship. His  content  was  not  born  of  selfishness. 
But  these  changes  were  impossible ;  he  could  not 
alter  by  a  hair's  breadth  the  decree  that  had  en- 
riched him  through  robbery.  There  was  no  appeal. 
He  had  mourned  with  all  the  affection  of  a  true- 
hearted  brother ;  he  missed  Bertie  sadly  from  his 
life  ;  he  had  been  accustomed  to  reverence  him  as 
one  whose  opinions  were  beyond  question,  and  had 
yielded  him  a  consideration  scarcely  Avarranted  by 
the  slight  difference  in  their  years.  He  had  dwelt 
much  upon  the  elder's  ability  and  the  place  he 


222  A   MAN'S   CONSCIEiq-CE. 

held  among  men.  He  had  often  said  laughingly 
that  ^Mie  would  like  to  stand  in  Bertie's  shoes  "^ — 
that  is,  possess  his  influence — but  the  thought 
farthest  removed  at  the  time  would  have  been  the 
desire  to  ever  realize  his  suggestion.  He  spoke 
tenderly  of  his  memory,  sorrov/ing  deeply,  affec- 
tionately, truly.  But  that  life,  however  precious 
it  had  been,  was  beyond  recall,  and  why  should 
one  unfit  oneself  for  living  by  too  close  an  associa- 
tion with  the  dead  ? 

They  mourn  best  who  live  as  they  desire. 

'No,  it  was  not  a  feeling  of  indifference  to  what 
had  been  that  caused  Godfrey  to  enter  with  zest 
upon  the  new  phase  of  existence  spreading  out 
before  him.  It  was  in  a  sense  a  duty.  He  owed 
it  to  his  family,  to  his  tenants,  to  the  social  circle 
of  which  he  was  a  member.  Every  moment  was 
full  of  some  engrossing  plan.  There  was  no  end 
to  the  solicitations  of  his  neighbors.  He  had  al- 
ready been  appointed  chairman  of  ^^  The  Tenants' 
Amalgamation  Society,"  the  president  of  ^^The 
Archaeological  Eesearch  Association,''  director  of 
^^  The  South  of  England  Stock  Improvement  Or- 
ganization," elected  member  of  the  ^^  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  Mutual  Self-Esteem."  He  was  in- 
vited to  become  president  of  the  county  ^^  eleven,'^ 
and  was  made  a  member  of  every  golf  club  in  the 
neighborhood.  He  was  in  demand  in  all  the  tennis- 
courts  within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles,  if  one  could 
judge  by  the  number  of  delicately-tinted  notes  that 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE.  223 

reached  him  bearing  the  insignia  of  racket  and 
ball. 

He  had  resumed  his  place  in  his  clubs  in  town 
with  renewed  interest,  after  an  enforced  period  of 
absence  from  these  agreeable  haunts.  He  made 
frequent  visits  to  London  in  the  intervals  of  pub- 
lic functions  and  county  gaiety,  and  took  up  the 
broken  thread  of  many  past  associations.  Of  late, 
too,  he  had  been  making  the  acquaintance  of  his 
Scotch  estates,  and  had  for  some  time  been  absent 
from  Bainhurst.  But  everywhere  he  found  life 
full,  absorbing,  pleasing.  He  did  not  deny  that  it 
enchanted  him.  He  could  not  realize  that  it  had 
ever  been  less  charming,  so  naturally  did  he  re- 
spond to  the  new  order  of  things. 

One  morning  in  Ayrshire,  a  few  weeks  after  his 
interview  with  Gwendolen  in  the  moonlight,  he 
awoke  to  find  a  number  of  letters  awaiting  him  on 
his  dressing-table.  He  glanced  at  his  correspond- 
ence carelessly,  for  he  was  well  accustomed  to 
their  probable  contents  :  a  happy  mixture  of  social, 
business,  and  begging  appeals  that  well  could  wait 
a  more  convenient  season  for  opening.  But  among 
the  number  which  he  turned  carelessly  over  there 
was  one  that  arrested  his  attention. 

The  superscription  was  inelegant  in  the  extreme, 
though  legible.  It  suggested  the  painstaking  of 
one  who  but  seldom  resorts  to  his  pen  for  expres- 
sion. The  letter  bore  the  postmark  of  the  Cross 
Eoads,  and  was  dated  about  six  weeks  previous. 

With    some   curiosity   Godfrey  tore   open  the 


224  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

envelope — the  postmark  had  not  failed  to  arouse 
that  latent  feeling — but  it  was  now  so  long  since 
he  had  abandoned  all  hope  of  a  direct  communi- 
cation from  Sandy  that  somehow  the  letter  was  not 
immediately  suggestive  of  Milly  and  her  home. 

The  habit  of  attempting  to  gather  the  contents 
of  a  letter  by  glancing  at  it  as  a  whole  is  so  uni- 
versal that  Godfrey  made  no  exception  to  the  rule. 
He  kept  the  letter  in  his  hand  for  a  moment, 
smiling  at  the  cramped  chirography  and  novel  use 
of  the  capitals  and  small  letters,  before  beginning 
at  the  beginning  and  reading  it  through. 

It  was  signed  by  Sandy,  and  as  Godfrey  had 
never  beheld  any  written  communication  of  his 
before,  he  was  somewhat  astonished  at  the  want  of 
ordinary  education  which  the  pages  betrayed. 

Sorroundings,  as  we  all  know,  have  much  to  do 
with  our  estimate  of  people  and  things  ;  Godfrey 
was  certainly  not  without  this  influence  in  judging 
of  Sandy^s  missive.  It  could  have  lain  on  the  un- 
ornamented  table  which  at  the  farmhouse  had 
served  for  writing,  dressing,  and  most  of  the  use- 
ful functions  of  which  a  table  is  capable,  and  not 
have  looked  out  of  place  ;  but  here,  side  by  side 
with  the  scattered  elegances  of  a  gentleman^s 
toilette  table,  the  letter  certainly  did  appear  astray. 

Turning  from  the  signature,  Godfrey  presently 
read  as  follows : 

"Cross  Roads,  July  10th,  188—. 

'^  Kespected  Sir, — I^m  verry  sorry  to  tell  you 
that  my  Darter  Milly  has  changed  her  mind  abaout 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEI^CE.  225 

marry  in'  you.  She  sez  She  don't  care  abaout  no 
Handel  to  her  name,  and  woold  rather  be  excusd. 
Mr.  John  Godfry  Alley ne  was  won  thing,  but  lord 
golbroth  is  another.  She  can  git  along  fer  a  spell 
as  simple  Milly  Alistair.  She  sez  she'll  stick  to  the 
Farm  awhile  yet.  She  sez  She  never  could  consent 
to  leaf  me — viz — Sandy  Alistair.  She  hain't  got 
nuthin'  agenst  you,  nuther,  I'm  bound  to  say,  only 
She  changed  Her  Mind.  AVimen  is  apt  ter.  I 
never  see  won  as  didn't  when  they  persessed  'em. 
My  Darter  is  as  well  as  could  be  expected,  the 
passon's  round  a  good  eal.  crops  is  good.  She 
would  hev  writ  before,  only  She's  afeerd  you'll  be 
Mad. — I  remain  yours  to  command, 

'^Saistdy  Alistair." 

There  was  a  general  air  of  murkiness  in  the 
atmospheric  conditions  of  the  effusion  that  sug- 
gested an  inky  fog.  A  generous  sprinkling  of 
blots  had  been  diversified  with  smudges  of  hastily- 
erased  words,  the  soiled  thumb  of  the  writer  having 
been  brought  into  requisition  for  the  purpose 
while  the  ink  was  still  wet.  Then,  too,  in  several 
instances  where  an  investigation  of  the  dictionary 
had  supplemented  and  corrected  the  more  ready 
phonetic  spelling  of  the  writer,  both  forms  had 
been  allowed  to  remain,  offering  the  reader  a  gen- 
erous choice  of  orthography. 

It  must  be  confessed  that  the  first  sensation 
Godfrey  experienced  in  reading  this  effort  of  his 
correspondent  was  one  of  amusement.     The  total 

15 


226  A  MAN'S   CONSCIEl^CE. 

disregard  of  all  the  rules  laid  down  in  the  Polite 
Letter'  Writer  produced  a  result  that  for  the  mo- 
ment obscured  the  more  serious  import  of  the 
letter.  He  stood  with  it  still  open  in  his  hand,  ex- 
claiming with  a  laugh,  ^^Of  all  the  strange  old 
parties  extant,  Sandy  Alistair  deserves  the  prize  ! 
Now  what  on  earth  is  it  all  about  ?  '^ 

He  re-read  the  letter,  with  the  result  that  his 
moment  of  diversion  was  followed  by  a  quickly 
varying  scale  of  different  emotions.  Pique — an- 
noyance— mortification — relief — were  the  ruling 
ones,  though,  if  challenged,  he  would  have  de- 
clared that  regret  existed  as  well. 

^^So  she  has  thrown  me  over  at  last  \'^  he  was 
saying,  as  he  poured  the  hot  water  into  his  silver 
shaving-cup.  ^^  Jilted  by  my  young  lady  of  the 
distant  prairie  !  There  is  no  mistaking  the  pur- 
port of  the  letter.  All  well  enough  as  the  impecu- 
nious brother  of  a  well-known  peer,  but  rising  in 
the  scale  by  my  own  right,  I  am  to  be  neglected — 
rejected — thrown  over,  if  it  serves.  What  the 
dickens  is  the  matter  with  the  razors  ?  1^11  recom- 
mend Jackson  to  the  first  man  going  West,  if  he 
can't  manage  to  keep  home  implements  sharper  ! 
He  manages  agricultural  ones  well  enough  ! 

^^It^s  all  very  well  to  say  she  couldn^'t  consent  to 
^leaf  me.^  Damnable  spelling!  I  wonder  I 
could  tolerate  the  old  man  !  But  Milly  !  Ah,  she 
was  different !  That  letter  doesn't  sound  like  her. 
I  can  scarcely  believe  that  she  was  at  the  bottom  of 
its  dictation.     She  was  always  a  consistent  little 


A   HAWS  COKSCIEi^CE.  227 

creature,  and  as  innocent  as  a  newly-fledged  robin. 
I  would  have  sworn  that  she  would  have  followed 
me  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  if  I  had  asked  it  of  her, 
and  now  she  prefers  that  ignorant  old  man  and  her 
desolate  island  in  the  wheat  ! '' 

He  glanced  at  the  letter  again  as  he  Aviped  the 
lather  from  the  shining  blade,  while  his  feelings 
again  underwent  a  change. 

^^  Talk  of  coquetry !  ^^  he  exclaimed,  as  though  ad- 
dressing an  interested  audience  ;  ^^  it  is  to  be  found 
in  the  breast  of  every  female  living  !  It  is  a  part  of 
the  feminine  make-up  as  truly  as  a  smooth  face  or 
long  hair  is  a  distinctive  attribute.  An  inborn 
quality  as  likely  to  crop  up  in  an  isolated  farm- 
house on  a  Western  prairie  as  to  exist  in  a  West 
End  drawing-room.  While  I  was  there,  Milly 
found  me  diverting  possibly  for  the  time ;  now  I 
am  gone,  some  one  else  does  quite  as  well — prob- 
ably takes  my  place.     Dash  the  parson  ! '' 

A  rather  long  gash  under  the  chin  witnessed 
that  this  was  not  merely  intended  as  a  form  of 
words. 

For  some  moments  Godfrey  was  employed  in 
doing  away  with  evidences  of  suicidal  intent. 
Then  he  began  slowly  to  dress  himself,  his 
thoughts  taking  another  direction. 

^^Look  at  Gwendolen,^^  he  continued,  still  ad- 
dressing his  imaginary  audience.  ^*  She  is  the 
only  woman  I  know  who  is  entirely  worthy  a 
man's  confidence.  Catch  her  changing  her  mind 
like  a  weathercock  with  every  wind  that  blows ! 


228  A  MAK'S  CONSCIEiq"CE. 

No  !  she  is  more  like  the  eternal  hills — something 
to  be  relied  upon.  I  never  knew  a  girl  like  her — 
never  !  So  gentle^  so  considerate  and  nnselfish^  so 
high-bred  and  refined^  so  beautiful  and  so  true/' 

Here  Godfrey  paused^  merely  for  want  of  ad- 
jectives, not  because  his  enthusiastic  admiration 
for  his  cousin  was  in  any  degree  diminished.  He 
was  so  used  to  associating  her  with  every  thought 
and  plan  that  it  did  not  occur  to  him  that  his 
mind  turned  to  her  now  with  a  feeling  of  elation 
never  experienced  before.  He  had  felt  the  illu- 
mination of  ,  her  clear  spirit  in  whatever  he  did  ; 
it  had  followed  him  wherever  he  went,  but  always 
with  the  reserve  that  a  veil  of  uncertainty  draws. 
Now  in  a  second — by  no  act  of  his  own — the  veil 
had  been  snatched  aside,  and  he  seemed  for  the 
first  time  to  stand  face  to  face  with  her  in  a  rush 
of  glorious  sunlight. 

He  leaned  against  a  chair  while  he  exchanged 
his  bath  slij)pers  for  the  latest  elegance  in  morning 
shoes.  During  those  few  moments  a  hundred 
thoughts  had  crowded  one  another  in  his  brain. 

Doubt,  at  least,  was  at  an  end,  so  far  as  Milly 
was  concerned.  In  definite,  if  ever  so  inelegant, 
phrase  her  father  had  finally  severed  the  engage- 
ment binding  Godfrey  to  his  daughter.  He  even 
knew  by  her  own  message  why  he  had  been  left  in 
irritating  suspense  all  these  months.  She  had 
said  that  it  was  fear  lest  anger  at  her  fickleness 
should  cause  him  to  exact  the  fulfilment  of  her 
promise.     She  need  not  have  feared  ! 


A   MAIL'S   COi^SCIENCE.  229 

He  liad,  indeed^  been  prepared  to  go  to  her  had 
she  required  it ;  he  might  even  have  been  won 
again  to  something  of  his  old  allegiance  had  he 
found  her  as  he  always  had  pictured  her — gentle, 
faithful;  loving ;  but  changed  as  this  letter  indi- 
cated, could  he  be  blamed  for,  or  was  there  any- 
thing wonderful  in,  his  rejoicing  ?  I^evertheless, 
he  hoped  that  he  was  not  altogether  a  villain  to 
feel  such  a  thrill  of  exultation  ;  but  would  it  not 
be  even  worse  to  pretend  a  regret  that  he  could 
not  feel  ? 

Gwendolen  would  not  expect  that.  No,  she 
was  the  soul  of  truth,  the  embodiment  of  honor. 
She  was  of  all  women  the  most  adorable,  the  most 
lovable.  In  all  the  world  there  was  not  such  an- 
other !  And  soon  the  thought  of  Gwendolen  had 
crowded  out  every  other  reflection,  as  was  often 
the  case  with  Godfrey.  In  a  few  more  minutes 
the  mingled  emotions  •  called  forth  by  the  letter 
had  given  place  to  one  only,  stronger,  happier, 
more  enduring. 

He  had  already  resolved  to  go  to  Gwendolen : 
he  would  relate  the  end  of  that  tale  begun  in  the 
larch  wood.  He  no  longer  felt  the  shackles  of  a 
false  position,  but,  delivered  from  their  weight 
and  bondage,  he  felt  that  he  had  never'  before 
known  the  sensation  of  freedom.  He  drew  a  long 
breath,  as  though  emerging  from  a  close  atmos- 
phere into  the  wholesome  freshness  of  outer  day. 

His  morning  toilette,  now  being  completed, 
Godfrey  arranged  his  blue-bordered  handkerchief 


230  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

SO  that  the  tiniest  suggestion  of  the  embroidered 
chijfre  appeared,  patted  the  j)ocket  to  make  it  lie 
flat,  gave  a  finishing  twist  to  his  blonde  mous- 
tache, and  went  down  with  good  appetite  to  break- 
fast. 

The  problems  of  life  were  solving  themselves  for 
this  young  man  in  a  very  agreeable  way.  The 
meshes  woven  by  himself,  which  had  at  first 
seemed  of  softest  silk,  had  grown  imperceptibly  to 
ropes  of  conscious  confinement.  ]S"ow,  through  no 
volition  of  his  own,  the  strands  had  strained  and 
parted,  leaving  him  free  again  to  follow  the  bent 
of  his  inclination.  He  had  at  first  scarcely  ac- 
knowledged that  the  tie  hampered  him,  and  yet 
by  contrast  he  now  realized  what  the  bonds  had 
been.  He  caught  himself  whistling  softly  as  he 
ran  down  the  stairs,  but  a  certain  sense  of  decorum 
stopped  the  refrain  half-way.  It  did  not,  how- 
ever, check  the  pleasant  smile  of  inward  satisfac- 
tion with  which  he  entered  the  breakfast-room. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

So  finely  strung,  so  sensitive  is  this  instrument 
of  our  emotions  that  every  slightest  touch,  every 
faintest  breath,  seems  to  call  forth  some  variation 
of  the  vibrating  strings  upon  which  they  play. 

Godfrey's  feeling  of  exhilaration  was  followed  by 
many  marked  though  contradictory  ones  before  the 
day  ended.  Confidence  gave  way  to  doubt,  and 
that  again  was  fanned  to  a  steadier  light  by  some 
chance  word  or  look  of  Gwendolen's  that  still 
dwelt  within  his  memory.  He  did  not  doubt  that 
she  loved  him — indeed,  she  had  not  striven  to 
conceal  that — but  he  did  ask  himself  in  what 
degree :  whether  as  the  tender  and  unselfish 
woman  who  stretched  out  her  hands  to  all  who 
needed  sympathy,  or  as  the  one  dear  beyond  all 
others  because  she  yielded  to  him  the  source  of  all 
her  loving-kindness — her  true  heart  ?  Would  he 
find  an  answering  light  in  the  depths  of  her  stead- 
fast eyes  when  he  should  come  to  her  and  say,  ^^  I 
am  free  ''  ?  Yet  over  all  his  impatient  plan,  over 
all  his  hope,  hovered  still  a  shadowy  fear.  And 
the  fear  was  born  of  his  own  consciousness.  What 
gift,  after  all,  was  he  offering  her,  who  embodied 
in  his  estimation  every  attribute  that  is  lovely  in 


232  A   MAN'S  COKSCIENCE. 

woman  ?  Not  the  first  fruits  of  a  manly  devotion ; 
not  the  untouched  gift  of  a  perfect  heart.  Must 
he  then  consider  himself  unworthy  of  her  ?  Had 
he  forfeited  his  right  to  the  mastery  of  her  pure 
love  ? 

The  questions  were  new  and  tormenting.  He 
had  never  before  experienced  this  uneasy  sense  of 
self-doubt.  Indeed,  he  would  have  said,  and  with 
truth  on  his  side,  that  his  life  would,  perhaps, 
bear  the  light  of  introspection  as  well  as,  if  not 
better  than,  mosfc  of  the  men  of  his  acquaintance. 
He  did  not  in  answer  to  his  insistent  catechism 
find  that  which  caused  him  shame.  Yet  he  wished 
there  had  been  no  Western  episode  to  intrude  in 
unwelcome  shadow  at  this  moment  when  his  heart 
bounded  with  hope.  He  wished  that  he  might 
forget  every  incident  of  that  brief  experience,  and 
never  more  have  cause  to  be  reminded  of  it.  But 
soon  again  every  bitter  thought,  every  uncertainty 
vanished  before  the  dominant  passion  which  pos- 
sessed him.  He  was  impatient  and  restless,  long- 
ing for  the  hour  when  he  might  stand  before  his 
cousin  with  the  gift  of  his  love,  saying  :  ^^This  is 
the  offering  of  my  whole  heart;  take  and  keep 
what  is  yours ;  no  power  on  earth  can  wrest  it 
from  you  if  you  are  but  willing  to  receive  it  and 
to  forgive  me,"  His  mind  was  filled  with  the 
thought  of  what  he  should  say  to  her,  how  approach 
her,  how  listen  for  the  longed-for  words  thfit  held 
his  very  life. 

He  had  a  party  of  friends — all  men — staying  in 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  233 

the  house,  but  no  embarrassing  question  of  hospi- 
tality hampered  his  decision. 

He  would  take  the  night  train  to  London,  and 
the  next  day,  as  early  as  possible,  continue  his 
journey  to  Bainhurst.  Once  more  he  would 
breathe  the  same  air  with  Gwendolen,  again  behold 
the  light  in  her  calm  eyes,  hear  the  sound  of  her 
sweet  voice.  He  would  live  again,  he  said :  as 
though  he  had,  indeed,  burst  the  bonds  of  death^s 
cerements  or  had  but  just  escaped  from  a  living 
tomb. 

Yes,  his  brothers  could  well  enough  look  after 
his  guests ;  he  did  not  trouble  himself  with  mis- 
givings concerning  the  propriety  of  his  sudden 
move.  The  men  would  doubtless  amuse  them- 
selves as  well  without  him  as  with  him.  It  was 
incredible  to  him  (it  had  become  so  during  the 
last  half  hour)  how  a  dozen  men  of  average  ability 
and  a  fair  amount  of  heart  could  go  on  day  after 
day  making  their  chief  occupation  the  slaughter  of 
innocent  birds  !  They  seemingly  had  no  higher 
ambition  than  a  full  bag.  He  was  almost  inclined 
to  call  the  sport  he  had  willingly  absorbed  himself 
in  the  day  before  degrading  !  In  fact,  the  word 
he  used  was  the  superlative  of  that  descriptive 
adjective  spelled  differently. 

Fortunately  he  had  received  word  from  his  head- 
keeper  that  there  would  be  no  shooting  that  day. 
In  consequence,  he  must  submit  with  what  grace 
he  could  to  a  few  hours  more  of  the  uninterrupted 
companionship  of  his  guests.     But  he  looked  for- 


234  A   MAK'S   COXSCIEKCE. 

ward  eagerly  to  the  night  journey^  and  the  moment 
when  he  should  be  quite  alone.  He  still  felt  in- 
clined to  drink  in  great  draughts  of  fresh  air,  as 
though  the  breath  of  heaven  was  the  only  stimulant 
befitting  his  exalted  mood.  He  scarcely  understood 
himself,  for  he  seemed  in  his  light-heartedness  like 
a  man  born  again.  Had  he  tried  to  illustrate  the 
state  of  mind  from  which  he  had  just  escaped,  he 
would  have  said  that  the  continual  reappearance 
of  some  unfriendly  ghost  more  nearly  represented 
his  former  haunted  condition  than  any  tangible 
illustration  of  flesh  and  blood.  'Now,  at  last,  he 
need  fear  nothing ;  he  was  as  free  as  though  no 
tie  had  ever  bound  him. 

The  night  journey  was  a  relief.  He  felt  that  he 
need  no  longer  mask  his  face  with  the  expression 
of  assumed  interest  that  the  society  of  his  guests 
demanded.  He  need  listen  no  longer  with  affected 
cordiality  to  platitudes  thrice  told,  or  to  pleasant- 
ries that  had  never  seemed  new.  No,  he  was  at 
last  on  his  way  to  Gwendolen.  Even  the  steady 
jar  and  rush  of  the  train  were  welcome  ;  they  but 
repeated  the  one  refrain,  ^^  To  Gwendolen,  to 
Gwendolen  ! " 

But  before  the  morning  dawned  he  was  impa- 
tient and  restless  again  ;  the  journey  seemed  inter- 
minable ;  if  he  had  had  the  power  he  would  have 
annihilated  Distance  the  sooner  to  test  the  question 
pressing  upon  his  heart.  But,  endowed  with  no 
supernatural  gift,  he  was  obliged  to  curb  his  im- 
patience while   the  journey  was   accomplished  in 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE.  235 

the  usual  practical  manner  :  so  many  hours  to 
London  ;  a  hurried  breakfast  taken  at  the  station  ; 
then  a  drive  from  King's  Cross  to  Paddington,  and 
the  supplementary  few  hours  that  carried  him  to 
the  nearest  point  to  his  journey's  end. 

Sending  on  his  luggage  by  a  cab  engaged  at  the 
station,  he  started  on  a  brisk  walk  across  country 
as  the  quickest  and  pleasantest  means  of  reaching 
Bainhurst.  Although  there  was  nothing  in  the 
day  to  remind  him  of  his  last  walk  over  the  same 
road,  he  could  not  but  recall  the  circumstances  of 
it  most  vividly  as  he  strode  along,  making  short 
work  of  the  miles  that  vanished  behind  him. 
Then,  indeed,  he  had  come  answering  some  in- 
definite impulse  ;  now  he  was  on  the  way  to  Grwen- 
dolen,  following  a  fixed  idea  that  drew  him  with 
the  power  of  certainty.  There  was  no  room  left 
for  any  other  reflection — the  one  glad  hope  seemed 
to  fill  every  recess  of  his  brain.  Gwendolen  to  be 
his  wife — his  wife  !  Yet  the  words  reminded  him 
of  something  :  a  girl  with  beseeching  eyes ;  a  strag- 
gling hamlet  with  snow-capped  houses  ;  a  brilliant 
full  moon  in  sovereign  possession  of  the  night.  Ah, 
yes  !  he  was  thinking  of  a  moonlit  night  :  the  one 
when  he  had  last  taken  this  walk.  How  beautiful 
that  was  !  and  how  beautiful  Gwendolen  had  been, 
revealed  in  the  moon^s  soft  radiance  !  She  re- 
minded him  of  moonlight  :  so  gentle,  so  serene, 
yet  flooding  his  soul,  as  the  moon  does  the  earth's 
spaces,  with  a  steady,  even  glow. 

He  could  recall  how  the  familiar  landscape  had 


236  A   MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

impressed  him  that  night ;  but  it  was  not  more 
unlike  the  drizzling  mist  of  to-day  than  was  free- 
dom from  bondage.  What  did  he  care  if  the  thin 
threads  of  rain  drew  together  in  an  enshrouding 
veil  that  shut  out  all  but  the  objects  nearest  him  ? 
What  mattered  it  that  the  soil  was  sodden,  and  the 
trees  dripped  with  what  seemed  an  intermittent 
rainfall  that  soon  had  left  not  a  dry  thread  on  him  ? 
Hope  was  in  his  heart ;  no  outward  discomfort  or 
discouragement  could  hinder  *his  light  step  or  re- 
tard his  way. 

Coming  to  the  downs,  which  alone  lay  between 
him  and  the  Castle  of  Bainhurst,  he  took  a  diag- 
onal cut  that  would  soon  bring  him  out  on  the 
home  domain.  Indeed,  from  where  he  stood,  for 
a  moment  gazing  in  the  direction  of  Bainhurst, 
the  towers  of  the  Castle  were  visible  on  a  clear  day. 
Despite  his  haste,  he  paused  a  second  on  the  highest 
point  that  his  way  touched,  struck  by  the  singularity 
of  the  atmospheric  effect  he  beheld.  The  mist 
rolling  in  white  billows  over  the  undulating  green 
of  the  downs,  had  settled  here  and  there  in  the 
irregular  hollows,  so  that  banks  of  blossoming 
gorse  curled  above  the  pale  waves  like  golden  crests ; 
they  lighted  the  even  tones  of  neutral  tint  that 
enveloped  all  the  world  and  lay  like  imprisoned 
sunlight  in  the  meshes  of  shifting  mist. 

Godfrey  stood  for  a  moment  in  rapt  contempla- 
tion of  the  strange  beauty  of  the  scene,  and  then, 
as  though  its  subdued  loveliness  were  but  another 
and  new  suggestion  of  what  Nature  held  in  her 


What  the  deuce  ails  you?     I  asked  after  Lady  Galhraith\ 
health.     Can't  you  answer  T'^ 


A   MAN'S   COKSCIEi^CB.  237 

treasure-house  of  beauty,  he  stretched  his  arms 
out  with  an  involuntary  gesture,  exclaiming,  ^'  How 
sweet  it  is  to  live  ! " 

With  the  impression  still  strong  upon  him  that 
somewhere,  in  spite  of  the  sodden  path  and  drip- 
ping leaves,  the  dead  sky  and  the  gray  earth,  he 
had  beheld  a  burst  of  sunlight,  he  arrived  at  the 
Castle.  The  house  seemed  deserted,  so  silent  was 
it.  He  rang,  and  after  a  little  delay  one  of  the 
younger  footmen  opened  the  door. 

^'  How  are  you,  Charles  V  he  asked,  passing  the 
man,  who  tried,  rather  aAvkwardly  he  thought, 
to  prevent  his  entrance.  ^^How  is  my  mother. 
Lady  Galbraith,  and — all  ?  '^  he  added,  without  re- 
gard to  grammar. 

The  footman  moved  uneasily  under  his  master^s 
eye,  and  wished  sincerely  that  he  had  not  been  the 
one  to  open  the  door  for  his  lordship.  His  em- 
barrassment held  his  tongue  so  provokingly  tied 
that  Godfrey  glanced  again  at  the  man  as  he  shook 
himself  free  from  his  overcoat. 

^^  What  the  deuce  ails  you  ?  I  asked  after  Lady 
Galbraith^s  health.     Can^t  you  answer  ? '' 

The  man,  thus  adjured,  stammered  out,  ^^  Yes, 
m^'lord  ;  I  beg  pardon,  milord,  that  is  just  it.  I 
had  to  speak  the  truth,  milord,  and  I  couldn^t 
rightly  tell  where  I  ^ad  houghter  begin.  ^^ 

'^'^ Doubtless.  What  have  you  got  to  tell?^' 
facing  the  pale-faced  footman.  ^^  Perhaps  you 
would  gather  up  your  wits  sufficiently  to  say 
whether  Lady  Galbraith  is  ill  or  not,  or  if  anything 


238  A   MAN'S   COKSCIEKCE. 

has  befallen  any  other  member  of  the  family/^ 
His  heart  was  beating  fast,  but  he  spoke  with  his 
habitual  tone  of  indolent  calm. 

^^  Yes,  you  are  right,  milord,  it  is  the  hold  malady. 
She  was  took  this  morning  in  her  chair  with  a 
stroke,  something  like  the  last ;  but  James  says  as 
^ow  this  is  bound  to  lay  her  alongside  the  hold 
milord  your  father,  asking  your  lordship's  par- 
don/^ 

Godfrey  waited  to  hear  no  more  of  the  stammer- 
ing footman's  statements,  but  with  rapid  strides 
was  soon  in  the  wing  of  the  Castle  given  up  to  his 
mother's  use.  Where  were  his  hopes  now  ?  What 
meant  his  beating  heart  ?  Had  the  glint  of  sun- 
light been  so  soon  swallowed  up  in  a  dense  cloud 
of  blackness  ?  He  loved  his  mother  well ;  she 
had  been,  besides  the  fond  and  indulgent  parent, 
his  boyhood's  companion  and  friend.  He  could 
not  remember  ever  to  have  heard  from  her  lips  a 
harsh  word ;  the  nearest  approach  to  a  disagree- 
ment of  any  nature  had  been  during  that  unlucky 
few  months  in  the  West ;  but  even  that  had  been 
forgotten  and  obliterated  in  her  mind,  mercifully, 
by  the  affliction  that  had  wiped  out  many  things 
from  her  memory.  He  stood  for  a  second  with  his 
hand  upon  the  handle  of  the  door,  scarcely  trust- 
ing himself  to  enter  the  room.  He  dreaded  to  see 
again  that  look  of  unconsciousness  that  had  once 
before  shut  him  out  from  her  recognition.  But 
the  thought  of  Gwendolen  nerved  him  to  face  what 
he  had  gathered  from  the  servant's  frightened  face 


A  MAN'S  COi^SCIENCE.  239 

awaited  him.  The  scene  disclosed  but  confirmed 
his  dread.  There  was  the  doctor^  called  hastily 
from  the  neighboring  village^  lingering  through 
the  slowly-moving  honrs^  not  from  any  hope  of 
bringing  aid  to  the  dyings  but  because  his  presence 
sustained  the  pretence  of  ministering,  and  kept 
alive  that  ray  of  hope  we  say  exists  where  still  there 
is  life.  I^evertheless  he  was,  at  the  moment  when 
Godfrey  entered,  standing  in  the  embrasure  of  a 
deep  window,  with  his  back  to  the  little  group 
gathered  about  the  couch,  and  with  short  stout  fin- 
gers vfas  drumming  an  inaudible  rat-a-tat-tat  on 
the  dripping  window-pane.  He  was  not  indifferent 
to  the  dignity  of  the  personage  stretched  uncon- 
scious on  the  couch,  nor  unfeeling  in  his  thoughts 
of  the  two  young  women  watching  on  either  side. 
But  ^^it  is  appointed  to  men  once  to  die,^^  and  the 
country  practitioner  had  witnessed  many  such 
scenes. 

Gwendolen  knelt  beside  her  aunt,  her  lifeless 
hand  between  both  her  own,  and  Lilian  stood  near. 
A  group  of  frightened  maidservants  were  tearfully 
gathered  near  the  dressing  room  door,  while  the 
housekeeper  in  stiff  black  silk — as  became  her 
position — rustled  between  a  table  whereon  stood 
a  useless  paraphernalia  of  remedies,  and  her  mis- 
tress who  would  never  need  them  more.  There 
was  dead  silence,  except  for  the  subdued  richness 
of  the  housekeeper's  silk  and  the  heavy  stertorous 
breathing  of  her  mistress.  So  had  Lady  Galbraith 
struggled  for  the  past  six  hours,  but  gradually  the 


340  A  MAK'S   CONSCIENCE. 

resistance  grew  less,  and  soon,  without  more  ado, 
she  would  go  out  from  life. 

Godfrey  stole  noiselessly  in,  joining  the  group 
with  scarcely  a  word  of  wonder  or  surprise  from 
any  gathered  in  that  room.  A  majesty  reigned 
there  whose  might  can  cause  every  human  heart 
to  forget  his  plans,  his  schemes,  his  emotions,  his 
ruling  passions,  his  every  selfish  thought — hope, 
fear,  yesterday,  and  to-morrow.  A  mightier  than 
any  one  of  us  :  Death,  the  supreme  ! 

And  so  Godfrey  knelt  beside  Gwendolen,  and 
waited  while  his  mother  drew  those  long  halting 
breaths  of  which,  and  of  his  presence,  and  of  every- 
thing else  besides,  she  was  totally  unconscious. 

Where  was  the  gleam  of  sunlight  he  had  carried 
in  his  heart  ?  Every  ray  seemed  swallowed  up  in 
gloom ;  and  yet  not  quite  that ;  for  as  he  knelt, 
Gwendolen  raised  her  eyes  to  his,  swimming  though 
they  were  in  tears,  and  he  thought  he  could  see  the 
light  of  welcome  shining  through. 

The  long  hours  dragged  themselves  into  night. 
Soft-footed  servants  drew  the  heavy  curtains,  and 
brought  the  lamps,  which  they  shaded  with  pains- 
taking care,  lest  some  gleam  should  disturb  the 
heavy  sleeper,  thus,  even  to  the  end,  making  be- 
lieve. The  doctor  excused  himself  in  laborious 
whisper,  and  went  below,  where  he  was  served  in 
solitary  state  with  a  dinner  fit  for  an  alderman. 
Lilian  had  been  placed  in  a  low  chair,  drawn  close 
to  the  couch,  while  Godfrey  and  Gwendolen  still 
kept  that  last  watch  together  beside  the  woman 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  241 

who  had  been  mother  to  them  both.  The  night 
ticked  on  till  past  midnight,  interrupted  by  noth- 
ing more  important  than  the  mending  of  the  fire, 
or  the  coming  and  going  of  silent  servants. 

From  the  first  it  had  been  admitted  that  doctors^ 
skill  could  not  avail ;  but,  in  answer  to  telegraphic 
summons,  two  functionaries,  with  the  distinction 
of  baronet  or  knight  added  to  their  medical  title, 
came  down  from  town,  assumed  for  a  little  that  air 
of  superior  insight  we  expect  from  such  dignitaries, 
and  delivered  themselves  of  opinions  which,  being 
translated,  appeared  identical  with  that  of  the  less 
honored  physician  in  attendance,  and  then,  with 
sympathetic  handshaking,  departed,  catching  the 
two  o'clock  train  up  to  town. 

So  the  labored  breathing  received  no  alleviation, 
the  dense  brain  no  light  from  without,  the  slow- 
moving  machinery  no  impetus  from  professional 
skill — heavier,  denser,  more  clogged,  until  the 
wheels  stopped.  The  medical  man  moved  a  step 
or  two  nearer ;  Gwendolen  and  Lilian  sobbed,  every 
one  else  was  in  tears. 

But  what  is  that  flicker  which  rises  and  illu- 
mines all  that  has  gone  before,  all  that  nOw  exists, 
all  that  is  to  come,  for  aught  we  know?  Lady 
Galbraith  was  not  dead  ;  but,  raising  herself  with 
a  strange  strength,  that  a  moment  before  would 
have  appeared  miraculous,  she  opened  wide  her 
drowsy  eyes  and  recognized  her  children.  Taking 
the  hands  that  clasped  her  own,  she  laid  them  one 
within  the  other,  her  whole  face  alight  with  the 


242  A   MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE. 

thought  she  tried  to  express.  The  seams  and  lines 
of  age  were  smoothed  all  at  once  from  her  dying 
countenance  ;  a  smile  of  supreme  content  dawned 
about  her  lips,  and  remained  there  even  after  she 
breathed  no  longer. 

The  two  bending  above  her  knew  the  origin  of 
that  smile.  In  a  voice  audible  to  no  one  but 
Gwendolen,  Godfrey  whispered  :  '^  You  see  what 
her  last  thought  is,  dearest.  Will  you  come  from 
her  sheltering  love  to  mine  ?  Will  you  be  my 
wife?" 

She  turned  her  tearful  eyes  to  his  with  a  startled 
expression  in  them. 

'^  Fear  nothing,"  said  he :  ^^  answer  me  from  your 
heart ;  there  is  nothing  between  us  now.  I  swear 
it,  and  I  love  you." 

She  did  not  attempt  to  control  her  sobs.  Weep- 
ing for  the  motherly  affection  she  had  lost,  weep- 
ing in  thankfulness  for  the  love  which  was  now 
her  own,  her  hand  lay  confidently  in  Godfrey^ 
and  he,  lifting  her  gently,  led  her  away. 

Weary  with  the  long  day  and  night,  and  worn 
out  with  grief  and  the  many  thoughts  and  emotions 
that  had  held  sway  in  his  heart  during  the  past 
twenty-four  hours,  Godfrey,  as  the  light  was  break- 
ing, threw  himself  on  his  bed,  overcome  with  fa- 
tigue. He  could  scarcely  believe  that  but  one  day 
and  one  night  had  passed  over  him  since  he  had 
found  that  letter  lying  on  his  toilette  table  which 
had  so  sensibly  changed  all  his  prospects.  His 
mind  travelled  heavily  backward,  trying  to  find  a 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  243 

first  clue  to  all  that  had  since  transpired.  The 
better  to  assure  himself  of  the  reality  of  his  engage- 
ment to  Gwendolen,  he  got  up  and  felt  in  his  coat- 
pocket  for  the  ill-spelled  letter  that  he  now  was 
able  to  bless  with  all  the  strength  of  his  love  for 
her. 

He  readily  found  the  letter,  but  it  was  not  alone. 
That  is,  in  taking  the  folded  square  from  his  pocket, 
he  drew  out  a  scrap  of  paper  written  over  in  a  hand- 
writing he  felt  he  ought  to  know.  In  his  half- 
dazed  weariness  he  could  not  for  a  moment  decide 
whose  this  was  or  where  he  had  seen  the  torn  piece 
before.  Indeed,  how  had  he  come  by  this  unrecog- 
nized letter?  he  asked  himself,  still  confused  by 
the  quickly  shifting  scenes  of  the  day  before.  Ah, 
yes  !  in  a  flash  it  came  back  to  him.  He  had  the 
clue  for  which  he  had  been  vainly  groping,  and 
with  the  thought  came  the  first  tears  that  had  risen 
to  his  eyes  in  all  the  harrowing  hours  of  that 
night. 

In  the  hand  that  had  pressed  his  with  that  last 
supernatural  strength — expressing  so  much  because 
there  was  but  a  second  in  which  to  express  all — a 
bit  of  paper  had  been  clasped.  When  those  fingers 
paled,  and  chilled,  and  loosened,  there  was  left 
within  his  own,  he  remembered,  this  scrap  of  paper. 
He  had  thrust  it  then  into  his  coat  and  not  thought 
of  the  incident  again ;  but  now  he  regarded  the 
torn  bit  as  one  might  a  message  sent  back  by  the 
dead.  Some  last  word,  perhaps,  which  his  mother 
had  wished  him  alone  to  see — possibly  she  had  been 


244  A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCE. 

writing  to  him  when  this  fatal  seizure  overtook 
her. 

He  drew  back  the  heavy  curtain  from  the  win- 
dow, the  better  to  read  what  was  written,  and  in- 
stantly he  realized  that  the  words  and  the  writing 
were  not  his  mother's,  but  Milly^s.  But  how  had 
they  come  into  his  dying  mother's  hand,  and  by 
what  fatality  was  he  confronted  by  them  now  ? 
Whatever  the  letter  contained,  was  it  expedient  for 
him  to  pry  into  its  secrets  ?  ISTo  ;  he  felt  that  he 
would  gladly  remain  in  ignorance  of  every  word 
written  therein.  Why  revive  in  his  breast  the 
struggle  that  had  raged  without  ceasing  until  a 
few  hours  before,  when  he  had  found  peace  at  last 
under  the  wing  of  Death's  angel  ?  Even  the  nat- 
ural grief  he  felt  for  the  loss  of  his  mother  he 
knew  had  been  tempered  and  assuaged  by  the 
promise  Gwendolen  had  given  him  in  that  hour  of 
parting.  So  wonderful  is  the  power  of  love  that  it 
can  carry  us  even  beyond  the  influence  of  loss  and 
pain  !  And  yet  this  scrap  of  paper— he  did  not 
know  what  to  do  with  it. 

In  the  growing  dawn  he  sat  wrapped  in  his  long 
dressing-gown,  yet  shivering  with  a  sense  of  some 
new  calamity.  Surely  his  nerves  must  be  strangely 
unstrung  to  be  thus  shaken  by  the  sight  of  this 
girl's  handwriting.  What  had  it  to  do  with  him  ? 
He  was  overcome  by  the  fatigue  and  the  grief  and 
the  cold.  But  whatever  the  cause,  this  was  un- 
manly, and  for  this  last  condemnation  Godfrey 
had  no  excuse.     What,   after  all,  did  it  matter 


A   MAN'S  CONSCIEi^CE.  245 

what  the  letter  contained?  He  was  done  with 
that  period  of  his  life,  quite  done,  thank  God,  and 
for  ever !  He  was  fortified  against  haunting 
fears  by  a  knowledge  that  was  like  a  giant^s  strength 
to  him.  That  ill-spelled  letter — he  could  recall 
every  word  of  it — gave  him  liberty ;  the  love  of 
Gwendolen  gave  him  hope ;  her  promise  was  life 
indeed.  He  smoothed  out  the  crumpled  sheet  and 
read  Milly's  letter.  It  was  better  to  be  satisfied, 
and  he  had  nothing  to  fear.  A  part  only  remained. 
There  had  evidently  been  some  attempt  to  destroy 
a  portion,  there  being  no  date  visible,  or  ordinary 
heading  indicating  the  person  addressed  ;  but  from 
the  tenor  of  the  letter  Godfrey  was  not  long  in 
learning  that  it  had  been  written  to  his  mother  by 
Milly,  as  he  had  at  once  suspected. 

^*^  You  will  be  surprised, ^^  Milly  began,  ^^  to  hear 
from  me,  and  I  did  think  that  day  you  came  to 
ask  me  to  give  Godfrey  up  that  I  didn^t  much  care 
if  we  never  met  or  heard  from  one  another  again. 
But  I  have  changed  a  good  deal  since  then,  I  don^t 
mind  owning.  Trouble  does  humble  the  pride  of 
most  of  us,  and  I  guess  I  am  no  exception.  This 
is  to  beg  a  great  favor  of  you,  dear  madam  :  just 
to  tell  me  how  Godfrey  is,  for  I  have  not  heard 
one  word  from  him  since  he  left  Minnesota,  and 
please  to  say  if  he  intends  ever  to  come  back  here. 
He  needn't  fear  that  I  will  keep  him  to  his  promise 
if  he  w^ants  to  be  free.  I  am  not  like  that.  I  want 
him  to  be  happy  in  his  own  way,  even  if  I  am  left 


246  A   MAN'S  COiq^SCIEKCE. 

out.  But  0  !  if  you  could  picture  the  desolation 
of  being  alone  after  having  your  days  and  nights 
filled  with  thoughts  and  dreams  of  him  !  But  I 
am  alone  again  in  this  vast  desert,  with  no  way  of 
reaching  him  or  hearing  from  him.  You  surely 
won^t — you  who  are  his  mother — you  won't  think 
it  queer  that  I  am  longing  just  for  one  word  that 
will  speak  his  name  and  tell  me  that  he  is  alive 
and  well? 

^^I  am  certain  you  won't  like  my  writing  to  you. 
You  are  so  different  from  us  :  much  above  me  in 
every  way.  I  know  yon  do  not  think  me  your 
son's  equal,  as  you  have  a  right  to  expect  the 
young  girl  to  be  whom  he  would  marry.  But  some- 
times I  think  that  Love  is  the  only  book  that 
teaches  without  study  !  By  intuition  I  understood 
Godfrey,  and  could,  I  believe,  have  made  him 
happy.  And  0  !  think  of  what  you  ask  me  to 
give  up.  Lady  Galbraith,  Godfrey's  mother,  you 
who  have  everything  at  your  command  !  You  ask 
me  to  live  without  light  and  warmth  and  nourish- 
ment— to  give  up  sound  and  sense.  You  would 
take  from  me  all  that  makes  life  liveable  or  death 
regrettable — for  I  love  him,  love  him  with  all  my 
heart,  God  help  me  ! 

^'  MlLLICENT  AlISTAIR." 

The  light  grew  stronger  in  the  room,  for  the 
sun's  rays  shot  up  in  long  pale  shafts  of  greenish 
hue,  almost  to  the  zenith.  It  lighted  some  shifting 
clouds  that  lay  along  the  horizon,  and  changed 


A   MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  247 

their  gray  tints  to  shining  hues  of  violet  and  rose 
and  pale  gold.  The  trees  were  heavy  with  the 
night's  downpour,  each  drop  holding  a  prism  of 
flashing  color. 

Godfrey  said  to  himself  that  it  was  clearing  at 
last — there  would  be  a  fine  day — a  pleasant  one 
for  his  brothers  to  journey  from  Ayr. 

How  strange !  The  first  dawn  he  had  ever 
known  in  which  that  sleeper  in  the  distant  room 
had  held  no  part !  Yesterday  he  could  not  have 
believed  that  the  sun  would  rise  again  on  him, 
and  she  lie  dead  !  Strange,  strange  !  He  won- 
dered if  Gwendolen  slept ;  he  wondered  all  sorts  of 
things,  except  about  the  half-torn  letter  in  the 
girlish  unformed  characters  that  lay  at  his  feet. 

At  last  he  got  up  with  a  long  shuddering  sigh, 
and  again  drew  the  curtain,  that  he  might  shut 
out  the  day,  now  spread  over  field  and  wood- 
land, castle  and  cot.  He  went  to  a  carved  cabinet 
that  stood  against  the  wall,  and,  taking  out  a 
curiously  engraved  flask,  poured  a  draught  of 
shining  liquor  into  a  glass,  and  drank  it  to  the 
last  drop. 

^^  Pshaw,  how  unnerved  I  am  ! "  he  said,  taking 
off  his  long  robe.  ^^  I  need  sleep,  that  is  all.  A 
man  can't  expect  to  be  master  of  himself  after  such 
a  day  and  night.  I  will  be  quite  myself  after  a 
few  hours'  rest ; ''  and,  in  a  measure,  his  prophecy 
proved  correct. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

DuRiKG  the  days  that  followed,  Godfrey  had  little 
time  for  reflection.  Indeed,  he  did  not  allow  him- 
self to  have.  Whenever  the  grief  of  his  loss  pressed 
upon  him,  whenever  other  thoughts  intruded  that 
might  at  another  time  have  asserted  their  right  to 
attention,  there  was  now  the  ever-welcome  shelter 
of  Gwendolen's  love  and  the  consolation  of  her 
companionship. 

He  felt  that  he  had  never  known  the  power  of 
sympathy  before.  Such  tender  light  dawned  in 
her  true  eyes  whenever  they  met  his ;  such  yearning 
love  sounded  in  her  gentle  voice  with  each  word 
she  uttered.  Something  of  motherly  protection  is 
born  in  every  woman's  heart,  maybe,  with  the  ne- 
cessity of  love's  expenditure.  A  shielding,  com- 
forting answer  to  each  demand  of  pain  or  loss.  No 
purer  phase  of  all  love's  development  is  there,  for 
free  must  it  ever  be  from  selfish  taint. 

Before  his  mother's  death,  Godfrey  would  have 
declared  that  nothing  could  have  bound  him  by 
closer  ties  to  this  woman  he  would  make  his  wife  ; 
but  after  the  lapse  of  those  first  days  of  mourning 
he  realized  that  a  truer  insight  into  her  unselfish 
heart  had  been  given  him.     She  grew  to  be  an  in- 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  249 

separable  adjunct  of  his  life — indeed,  life  itself — 
like  one's  throbbing  blood  and  beating  heart. 

With  lover-like  extravagance  he  told  her  that  he 
should  die  without  her  love.  And  she,  answering 
from  a  full  heart,  would  say  :  '^  That  can  never  be, 
beloved,  for  I  shall  love  you  forever." 

With  unceremonious  haste  Godfrey  would  have 
urged  on  the  day  of  their  marriage.  He  seemed 
feverishly  anxious  to  blot  out  the  time  between, 
and  at  an  early  date  to  call  Gwendolen  his  wife. 
The  wiser  counsel  of  other  members  of  the  family — 
indeed,  Gwendolen's  unwillingness  to  appear  un- 
mindful of  the  memory  of  that  dear  one  they 
mourned — at  length  prevailed,  and  Godfrey  w^as 
obliged  to  hold  himself  content  with  an  indefinite 
promise  that  spoke  of  the  early  summer  as  the 
time  for  their  marriage. 

Meantime  they  all,  with  Lilian  as  the  head,  re- 
sumed their  old  life  at  Bainhurst ;  that  is,  the  daily 
routine  was  much  as  usual,  except  for  memory  and 
hope. 

Almost  Godfrey  had  forgotten  that  torn  scrap  of 
paper  which  had  seemed  to  speak  to  him  from  the 
dead.  As  he  had  thrust  the  crumpled  lines  out  of 
sight  in  the  folds  of  his  dressing-gown,  so  he  had 
buried  the  trembling  cry  they  conveyed  in  the 
depths  of  f orgetf ulness. 

So  much  the  better.  Who  willingly  sets  up  a 
ghost  with  the  premeditated  idea  of  being  haunted  ? 
Who  opens  his  closet-door  familiarly  when  he 
knows  that  just  behind  those  thin  boards  gapes  a 


250  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

skeleton  that  refuses  to  lie  conveniently  buried  ? 
Far  better  is  it  to  ignore  that  such  a  frame-work 
ever  supported  sinews,  muscles,  nerves,  brain,  all 
the  beautiful  mechanism  we  once  admired,  all  the 
exquisite  fittings  and  working  we  once  looked  upon 
with  pride,  because  we  called  them  ours,  because 
for  a  day  we  loved  them.  No,  Godfrey^'s  way  was 
best.  He  resolutely  closed  the  door  that  might 
lead  to  uneasy  remembrance.  He  would  have 
double-locked  it  if  he  could,  and  erected  a  barri- 
cade that  would  have  prevented  him  henceforth  so 
much  as  a  peep  through  the  keyhole.  He  turned 
his  back  on  that  part  of  his  life  with  determined 
self-control,  and  assured  himself  that  the  dead  past 
had  decently  buried  its  dead.  Whatever  concerned 
Gwendolen  w^as  vital;  whatever  had  to  do  with 
that  fateful  episode  in  the  West  was  dead.  If  a 
cry  ever  reached  him  that  carried  on  its  breath  the 
wail,  ^^You  ask  me  to  live  without  light  and 
warmth  and  nourishment,  to  give  up  sound  and 
sense, ^^  he  fled  from  it  as  a  murderess  might  from 
the  cry  of  an  infant  she  had  slain. 

If  side  by  side  with  Gwendolen's  serene  face  rose 
the  blue  eyes  and  trusting  smile  of  another  woman 
as  fair  as  she,  he  looked  again  at  his  cousin,  took 
both  her  hands  in  his,  raised  the  sweet  face  until 
his  eyes  gazed  deep  into  hers  with  all  his  souFs 
passion,  and  then,  with  a  smile  that  held  the  crav- 
ing of  his  heart  for  the  answer  that  never  failed, 
would  ask  again,  ^^  Gwendolen,  do  you  love  me 
with  all  your  heart  ?^^  and  then   the    other  no 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  251 

less  anxious  one,  ^^  When,  child,  will  you  be  my 
wife?^' 

For  answer  he  heard  the  words  oft  repeated, 
'^  You  know,  dear,  past  telling,^^  or  the  no  less 
well-known,  ^^Wait  until  the  summer,  Godfrey 
love  ;   it  will  soon  be  here,  with  all  its  promises/^ 

One  day,  however,  she  seemed  struck  with  some 
new  accent  of  anxiety  in  his  voice  that  had  escaped 
her  before.  She  took  both  his  hands  for  a  mo- 
ment within  her  slender  firm  ones,  asking, 

''  Godfrey,  what  is  it  I  hear  when  you  speak  to 
me  like  this  ?  Of  what  are  you  thinking  ?  I 
seem  to  hear  far-off  echoes  of  some  past  regret,  or 
else  the  approach  of  some  untold  anxiety.  Tell 
me,  is  there  even  now  the  shadow  of  a  shade  be- 
tween us  ?  You  know  I  could  bear  pain,  sorrow, 
sacrifice,  any  or  all  for  you,  my  love,  and  never 
cry  out.  You  will  keep  nothing  hidden  from  me, 
Godfrey,  but  trust  me  as  you  would  ^^ — she  hesi- 
tated— ^^  the  dear  Christ,  Who  loves  us  both  ?  I 
could  not  fail  to  do  what  was  best  for  you,  because 
I  love  you  so,  dear,^^  she  added,  with  hushed 
voice. 

She  was  looking  up  into  his  face  as  he  bent 
above  her,  with  the  calm,  steadfast  light  of  her 
devoted  heart  illumining  all  her  countenance,  and 
rendering  it,  Godfrey  thought,  almost  divine. 

^^  Gwen,^^  he  said,  with  a  tremor  of  sadness  in 
his  voice,  ''  I  do  not  deserve  such  fond  devotion. 
Your  love  is  too  pure  to  even  understand  why  a 
man  may  scourge  himself.  You  could  not  so  much 


262  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

as  imagine  how  one  might  question  oneself  and 
find  no  satisfaction  in  the  answer.  Yet  if  love 
can  lift  me  to  you  or  bring  me  into  your  pure  at- 
mosphere, surely  I  may  hope ;  for  I  believe  that 
no  woman  ever  stirred  the  best  impulses  of  a  man 
more  surely  than  you  have  mine.  Love,  like  gold, 
becomes  purer  when  tried  by  fire.  But  why 
doubt  yourself  or  me  ?  With  all  the  longing  of 
my  heart  I  am  yours ;  with  all  the  sanctity  of  your 
affection  I  believe  you  care  for  me ;  there  let  us 
rest,  beloved.  ^^ 

She  smiled  again  more  gaily,  releasing  his 
hands.  ^^  Why  do  I  ask  such  childish  questions, 
I  wonder  ?  Perhaps  as  children  do,  idly,  just  for 
the  reward  of  having  some  tale  told  over  again 
that  has  become  dear  through  repetition.  ^^  Then 
more  seriously  :  ^^  There  is  no  shadow  of  doubt  in 
my  heart,  Godfrey  ;  it  is  not  possible  to  love  and 
doubt.  Only  you  are  so  sad  sometimes,  dear,  that 
when  you  look  at  me  I  think  I  find  in  your  eyes 
a  thought  you  will  not  speak. ^^  But  she  added 
quickly,  as  though  repenting  of  her  own  exigence: 
'^  Forgive  me,  Godfrey,  that  I  should  forget. 
Your  grief  would  be  mine  even  were  I  not  con- 
scious of  my  own  loss.  I  ought  to  think  more  of 
how  you  must  miss  the  dear  mother,  and  knov/ 
that  your  thoughts  cannot  always  be  with  me.^^^ 

For  answer  he  kissed  her,  but  the  smile  about 
his  lips  was  reassuring,  and  she  knew  that  beyond 
all  things  else  he  loved  her.  But  doubts  like  these 
were  rarely  expressed  ;   and  altogether  the  winter 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  253 

passed  quickly,  adding  the  months  one  by  one  to 
the  long  muster-roll. 

No  further  word  reached  Godfrey  from  his  farm 
in  Minnesota ;  the  purchase  by  Aleck  Hope  had 
been  practically  eifected,  though  he  had  not  yet 
entered  upon  the  absolute  possession  of  the  prop- 
erty. Whatever  detail  of  a  business  kind  was  still 
incomplete  with  regard  to  this  transfer  was  left  by 
Godfrey  in  the  hands  of  his  solicitors,  with  the 
proviso  that  he  should  be  troubled  as  little  as  pos- 
sible with  consultations  or  decisions.  Paterson 
was  still  retained  upon  the  place  as  useful  adviser 
and  overseer.  Godfrey  from  time  to  time  received 
condensed  reports  from  him  concerning  the  farm^s 
needs  or  successes. 

But  of  late  he  had  interested  himself  but  little 
in  these  carefully  worded  accounts ;  indeed,  he 
had  been  guilty  on  more  than  one  occasion  of 
shoving  some  of  the  last  received  into  a  handy 
drawer  without  so  much  as  the  seal  broken.  He 
would  look  them  all  over,  he  said,  some  day,  and 
answer  them  too.  Paterson  was  a  painstaking, 
faithful  fellow,  and  had  always  shown  himself  de- 
voted to  his  interests.  His  endeavors  should  not 
pass  unnoticed  in  the  long  run ;  only  now  his 
thoughts  were  on  other  things.  He  was  going  to 
ride  with  Gwendolen,  or  she  was  waiting  for  him 
to  walk,  or  to  read,  or  to  sketch,  or — to  do  noth- 
ing, as  the  case  might  be  ;  for  with  such  weighty 
engagements  the  time  passed,  joyously,  let  it  be 
owned,  each  absorbed  in  the  mighty  trifles  that  fill 


254  A  MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE. 

sucli  days.  Over  and  over  again  he  would  say  to 
Gwendolen,  impulsively  seizing  her  hands, 

'^  Never,  Gwen,  in  all  my  life  have  I  been  so 
happy  ! " 

The  smile  that  answered  so  quietly  told  a  tale, 
too,  of  inward  content. 

As  time  went  on,  Godfrey  grew  more  confident. 
In  all  the  range  of  his  vision  there  appeared  no 
speck  visible  upon  the  horizon.  Wherever  he 
looked,  bright  sunlight  streamed  down  upon  him, 
until  his  eyes  were  blinded  with  the  light  of  his 
own  happiness.  Even  the  thought — if  such  a  one 
ever  intruded — of  that  brief  experience  in  the 
West  now  cast  no  shadow,  for,  without  will  or  de- 
sign on  his  part,  the  thread  had  parted  that  held 
him  there,  leaving  him  free.  He  had  no  time  for 
retrospect ;  to-day  was  engrossing — full  of  joy,  to 
the  exclusion  of  all  else. 

A  gracious  hand  was  indeed  pouring  gifts  into 
Godfrey's  bosom. 

Every  day  he  found  new  reason  for  rejoicing  in 
Gwendolen's  love.  She  seemed  to  him  to  embody 
every  trait  he  had  counted  most  attractive  in 
womanhood.  He  became  more  and  more  alive  to 
those  qualities  which  rendered  her  fine  beyond  the 
quality  of  other  women.  He  wondered  how  he 
had  remained  blind  so  long !  His  mother  even 
had  been  more  clear-sighted,  for  had  she  not  long 
ago  pointed  out  these  very  beauties  of  character 
which  he  now  adored  ? 

What  infatuation  could  have  possessed  him  to 


A  MAK'S  COiq^SCIEKCE.  255 

entertain  tlie  tliouglit  for  a  moment  that  any 
other  woman  on  the  face  of  the  globe  could  stand 
to  him  in  the  sacred  relation  of  wife  ?  Only  with 
Gwendolen  could  such  a  bond  be  possible  or  com- 
plete. She  alone  answered  as  a  responsive  chord 
does  the  touch — every  expression  of  the  heart's 
desire.  Even  the  weaknesses  in  his  own  character 
were  in  a  measure  counterbalanced  or  corrected  by 
the  strength  in  hers.  In  her  he  found  sympathy, 
judgment,  gentle  consideration,  a  loving  heart;  in 
contemplation  of  the  gifts  she  brought  him  he 
marvelled  at  his  own  good  fortune. 

In  return,  he  promised  her  a  lifetime  of  devoted 
love.  He  felt  that  he  could  scarcely  wait  the  day 
of  their  marriage,  so  eager  was  he  to  begin  this 
time  of  perfection.  Never  would  there  have  been 
such  an  example  of  absolute  sympathy. 

Gwen  understood  as  no  one  else  could ;  they 
were  as  one  soul,  with  equal  aims  and  inseparable 
interests.  Theirs  would  be  a  peculiar  bond,  hold- 
ing all  the  past  knowledge  of  each  other,  that  a 
family  tie  implies,  almost  the  same  family  inter- 
ests. Even  the  affection  they  had  borne  his 
mother  had  been  filial  in  them  both.  It  was  a 
time  of  hope,  anticipation,  and  happiness. 

Gwendolen  had  never  been  so  beautiful ;  she 
seemed  fairly  to  glow  with  the  perfection  of  health 
and  loveliness.  Accustomed  as  he  was  to  her 
every  tint  and  outline,  Godfrey  could  not  refrain 
oftentimes  from  expressing  his  pride  in  her  per- 
sonal perfection. 


256  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

What  wonder  was  it  that  Godfrey  lost  all  mem- 
ory of  other  days,  filled  with  the  gladness  of  his 
satisfied  soul  ? 

It  has  been  said  that  no  man's  heart  is  large 
enough  to  contain  the  images  of  two  women  at 
one  and  the  same  time ;  certainly  Milly  would 
have  found  no  room  for  her  own  tear-stained  face 
in  the  shrine  she  adored.  It  was  well  she  could 
not  realize  how  pervaded  that  seat  of  affection  was 
by  the  impression  of  one  glowing,  proud,  beautiful 
woman.  Beside  that  fair  image  she  would  scarcely 
have  dared  lift  her  bowed  young  head ;  into  the 
eyes  that  Godfrey  called  ^^his  soul"  would  she 
scarcely  have  dared  look  with  hers,  all  sfcained  by 
weeping.  And  yet,  what  is  all  this  prating  about 
woman's  infidelity  to  woman?  Had  she  but 
known,  it  was  to  Gwendolen  that  Milly  might 
have  turned  with  the  sure  hope  of  response ;  to 
her  she  might  have  appealed  with  the  conscious- 
ness that  a  woman's  love  may  preserve-  some  sense 
of  justice,  perchance,  while  a  man  blots  ^^it  was" 
and  ^^it  is"  from  his  ethics  with  one  comprehen- 
sive ^^I  love  you." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

As  the  spring  advanced,  more  active  prepara- 
tions were  made  with  regard  to  their  marriage. 
Every  one  at  Bainhurst  owned  to  feeling  that  un- 
dercurrent of  excitement  which  a  prospective  wed- 
ding induces.  Even  Lilian  could  not  resist  the 
sense  of  joy  that  seemed  to  pervade  the  very  air, 
and  for  the  time  forgot  her  own  sorrows  in  the 
unselfish  contemplation  of  others^  happiness. 

Some  changes  were  to  be  made  in  the  old-fash- 
ioned style  of  certain  apartments  in  the  Castle, 
rendering  them  more  habitable  according  to  mod- 
ern, luxury-loving  taste.  While  these  were  in 
progress,  Lilian  and  Gwendolen  moved  to  town, 
occupying  as  usual  the  house  in  Berkeley  Square, 
Godfrey  at  the  same  time  taking  up  his  quarters 
at  his  chambers,  not  far  off. 

The  wedding  was  to  take  place  early  in  June, 
and  in  consequence  Bainhurst  found  itself  de- 
serted during  the  first  spring  days,  unless,  indeed, 
one  counted  a  busy  army  of  workmen  that  had 
taken  possession  of  the  ancient  rooms,  brightening, 
freshening,  modernizing  some  of  the  duller  parts 
of  the  old  building. 

Occasionally  Godfrey  ran  down  from  town  filled 
with  impatience  to  see  how  the  work  progressed, 

17 


258  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

or,  as  he  thought,  by  his  presence  to  hurry  on  the 
preparations.  In  suggesting  even  the  tint  of  the 
walls  or  changing  the  detail  of  a  single  article  of 
furniture,  he  was  doing,  he  thought,  something 
towards  hastening  the  day  when  he  should  bring 
Gwendolen  home  as  mistress  of  all.  He  was  rest- 
less, impatient  even,  over  every  delay  in  the  per- 
fecting of  his  plans.  The  ways  of  paperhangers 
and  house-decorators  seemed  to  him  inscrutable. 
He  spent  many  hours  in  attempting  to  solve  their 
methods  of  progress.  The  only  comparison  that 
served  was  that  of  the  well-worn  tortoise  of  classic 
renown,  whose  imperceptible  progress  has  con- 
soled many  a  one  who  preferred  wings. 

As  his  visits  were  usually  unannounced  and  un- 
expected, he  often  had  the  fortune  of  finding  the 
house  deserted  by  every  one  except  his  own  ser- 
vants. A  general  chaos  of  paint,  paper,  and  up- 
holstering materials  suggested  on  these  occasions 
that  nothing  short  of  a  miracle  could  restore  the 
rooms  to  their  former  look  of  comfort.  Never- 
theless the  work  progressed — so,  we  are  bound  to 
believe,  did  the  tortoise — until  one  day,  towards 
the  end  of  May,  Godfrey  had  the  satisfaction  of 
finding  ^^  everything  ready  for  Miss  Gwendolen, ^^ 
as  the  housekeeper  proudly  announced. 

With  a  light  heart  Godfrey  returned  to  town 
that  evening.  Stopping  at  his  rooms  only  long 
enough  to  change  to  evening-dress,  he  hastened  on 
to  Gwendolen,  for  without  her  sympathy  he  knew 
no  happiness.     He  found  her  sunk  in  the  depths 


A  MAN'S  COl^SCIEifCE.  259 

of  a  many-cushioned  sofa  drawn  in  front  of  the 
fire^  indulging  in  pleasant  dreams.  She  was  dressed 
in  a  soft  material  of  primrose  hue,  that  blended 
with  the  lights  of  her  hair  and  skin,  rendering 
them  more  radiant  than  ever  before.  Godfrey, 
taking  her  hands  in  his,  bent  and  kissed  her  lips. 
For  a  moment  the  reality  of  his  happiness  took 
possession  of  him  to  the  exclusion  of  every  other 
thought.  He  forgot  what  he  had  come  to  say, 
and  all  the  practical  detail  he  had  meant  to  relate. 
Ho  kept  her  hands  close  pressed  within  his  own, 
saying  : 

^^I  am  so  happy,  beloved,  that  I  wonder  almost 
I  am  not  afraid.  I  do  not  deserve  such  joy  !  It 
is  enough  to  make  one  tremble.  Tell  me  again 
that  my  happiness  will  not  end,  that  nothing  shall 
come  between  and  hinder  our  marriage."^  * 

^'  Why,  Godfrey,  one  would  think  me  the  most 
fickle  of  beings,  and  that  only  binding  pledges 
would  keep  me  faithful  to  my  promise  !  I  con- 
sider this  a  very  unkind  doubt,  and  you  shall  be 
sentenced  to  a  severe  penance  !  I  believe  I  shall 
bestow  all  my  smiles  on  Reginald  to-night,  as  a 
fitting  punishment.^^ 

^^  Ah,  don^t  do  that,  Gwen  !  You  know  what  a 
monster  of  jealousy  I  become,  if  you  so  much  as 
look  interested  in  the  man  who  sits  nelt  you.  I 
know  I  shall  have  crime  on  my  conscience,  if 
Cathay  puts  on  that  ridiculous  expression  of  satis- 
faction he  always  wears  when  he  takes  you  down 
to  dinner.     I  know  that  I  am  utterly  unreasonable. 


260  A  MAN'S  co:n^science. 

but  you  cannot  believe  how  I  love  you.  When 
once  you  are  mine,  dear  heart,  it  will  be  different. 
Then  there  will  not  be  room  for  the  tiniest  ray  of 
fear  to  creep  in,  I  shall  feel  so  sure  of  you.^^ 

The  firelight  flickered  and  shone  upon  their 
young  faces,  revealing  his  eager,  intense,  almost 
trembling  with  the  earnestness  of  his  words  ;  she 
with  love  glowing  in  her  eyes,  that  held  the  deep, 
brilliant  light  of  sapphires. 

^^You  feel  sure  of  me  now,  dearest, ^^  she  an- 
swered softly.  '^  What  in  the  world  could  part  us? 
Not  man  nor  woman ;  not  life  and — I  like  to 
think — not  death.  For  I  would  be  part  of  you,  if 
the  spirit  lives,  no  matter  where  you  were.  Cast 
away  all  fears,  beloved.  Do  you  forget  all  that 
dark  time  before  I  knew  you  loved  me  ?  I  want  to 
blot  it  out.  I  want  to  altogether  forget  it.  I  love 
to  dwell  upon  the  long  years  we  shall  pass  together,^^ 
she  said  tenderly,  taking  his  face  between  her 
hands.  ^'^I  have  loved  you  always,  Godfrey.  I 
cannot  remember  the  time  when  I  was  not  a  part 
of  you  ;  only  then,  dear,  you  had  not  felt  the  need 
of  your  other  self.^^ 

^^  Thank  God,  thank  God,  it  is  not  too  late  ! ''  he 
said,  with  arms  closely  folded  about  her,  and  her 
head  upon  his  breast. 

A  smothered  cough,  followed  by  ^^  The  carriage 
is  at  the  door,  milord, ^^  brought  Godfrey  to  his  feet 
upon  the  hearth-rug,  with  his  hands  nonchalantly 
thrust  beneath  his  coat-tails,  while  the  discreet 
James  overheard  the  remark  obviously  addressed 


\^'" '^^'^■^^jf<^c^ 


A   smothered  congJi^  followed  by  '  llie   carriage  is  at  the  door^ 
mlord^^  hro^tght  Godfrey  to  his  feet  upon  the  hearth-rug.''^ 


A  MAK'S  CONSCIEi^CE.  261 

to  the  surrounding  air  that  ''  the  fog  was  certainly 
getting  into  the  house/^ 

That  evening  was  but  the  repetition  of  many 
others  pleasantly  spent,  and  would  have  joined  the 
confused  memory  of  similar  occasions  in  Godfrey^s 
mind  had  it  not  been  for  what  followed. 

They  had  been  to  a  dinner-party  composed 
mainly  of  familiar  friends,  which  had  lasted  rather 
later  than  the  conventional  limit  of  such  affairs. 
The  hour  being  late,  it  so  happened  that  Godfrey 
parted  from  Lilian  and  Gwendolen  at  their  door, 
lingering  only  for  a  softly-spoken  good-night  in  its 
friendly  shadow.  Lighting  a  cigarette,  he  strolled 
slowly  towards  his  chambers,  his  thoughts  agreeably 
filled  with  memories  of  the  evening,  Gwendolen 
always  their  centre.  For  the  hundredth  time  he 
found  himself  counting  the  days  until  that  one 
which  for  him  stood  forth  upon  the  calendar  as  the 
most  important  of  all  the  year.  He  had  even  be- 
gun a  mental  computation  of  the  hours  that  would 
intervene  before  that  day  dawned.  He  wished  that 
he  had  urged  an  earlier  date  for  their  marriage. 
He  was  possessed  of  an  unreasoning  desire  to  hasten 
the  hours.  Had  it  been  possible,  he  would  have 
overleaped  the  intervening  time  with  a  bound. 

Entering  his  apartment,  he  was  still  filled  with 
that  sense  of  elation  which  always  followed  an 
evening  spent  in  Gwendolen's  society.  He  stretched 
himself  on  a  low  cushioned  chair,  prepared  by  the 
aid  of  smoking-jacket  and  slippers  to  continue 
his  reflections.    But  thoughts  are  singularly  erratic 


262  A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCB. 

things,  and  at  times  quite  beyond  control.  Some- 
how, Godfrey's  were  as  perverse  on  this  occasion 
as  those  of  any  of  us. 

Instead  of  following  the  natural  course  of  a  man's 
whose  one  interest  centres  in  the  woman  he  loves, 
they  became  singularly  lawless,  and  wandered  to 
scenes  in  which  Gwendolen  had  no  part. 

A  stretch  of  ripening  grain  shimmered  like  gold 
in  the  palpitating  heat  of  an  unclouded  summer 
day.  A  storm  arose,  sweeping  over  an  endless 
plain,  laying  waste  all  that  stood  before  it.  A 
man's  thin,  high-pitched  voice  called  to  him  in 
anxious  tones  to  save  his  child — the  storm  would 
beat  upon  and  destroy  her.  He  listened ;  the  very 
roar  of  the  elements  seemed  about  him  again. 
His  horse  plunged  and  sank,  and  he  knew  nothing 
more  until  a  girl's  voice  called  him  back  to  life. 
Of  what  was  he  dreaming  ?  He  must  be  insane  to 
dwell  upon  these  pictures.  What  did  they  mean 
to  him  now  ?  They  were  of  the  past,  dead  and 
gone.  Dead  as  last  year's  leaves !  But  he  had  for- 
gotten that  there  is  no  law  of  annihilation.  They 
were  gone  as  only  such  incidents  can  be  when  out- 
lived and  swallowed  up  in  a  present  soul-satisfying 
joy.  He  would  not  recall  that  time,  nor  associate 
it  even  for  a  moment  with  to-day.  There  was  dis- 
loyalty in  permitting  his  mind  to  dwell  upon  events 
so  entirely  removed  from  Gwendolen.  He  was  vastly 
impatient  with  himself.  He  used  hard  words  in 
self -rebuke,  and  accused  himself  of  being  unworthy 
his  cousin's  love.     What   comparison   was  there 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  2B3 

between  the  two  women — well,  let  him  for  once 
deal  openly  with  himself — between  the  two  women 
he  had  loved  ?  One  affection  had  been  a  half -pity- 
ing tenderness  for  a  creature  born  out  of  place ; 
marriage  would  have  been  akin  to  rescue — never  a 
mating  of  hearts.  But  with  Gwendolen  how  dif- 
ferent it  would  be  !  Their  union  would  lift  him 
into  an  atmosphere  never  breathed  before,  that 
would  be  an  affinity  that  must  refine  and  glorify 
even  the  commonest  acts  of  every-day  existence.  ISTo 
one  could  live  beside  her  and  resist  the  influence  of 
her  perfection. 

The  thought  of  Milly,  however,  which  unbidden 
had  mingled  with  these  joyous  aspirations,  was  not 
to  be  easily  shaken  off.  Godfrey  found  difficulty 
in  doing  away  with  the  impression  which  this  rec- 
ollection of  her  recalled.  He  concluded  that  he 
would  occupy  himself  with  his  letters,  and  so  fill 
his  mind  with  something  different. 

Of  late  there  had  been  so  little  time  when  he 
was  content  to  be  absent  from  Gwendolen  that  his 
correspondence,  with  many  other  duties  of  a  per- 
sonal nature,  had  been  neglected. 

Lighting  a  fresh  cigarette,  he  drew  up  his  chair 
to  the  writing-table,  and  began  to  assort  and  ar- 
range the  innumerable  piles  of  letters  and  papers 
lying  thereon.  Many  were  of  a  social  nature,  and 
had  already  received  the  only  acknowledgment  they 
required.  Others,  denoting  by  appearance  their 
business  import,  still  waited  a  convenient  season 
for  attention. 


264  A  MAN'S   COKSCIENCE. 

Among  them  were  several  of  different  dates 
from  Paterson  detailing  the  progress  of  work  on 
the  farm.  These  Godfrey  laid  aside  preparatory 
to  answering  them  in  detail.  One  he  perceived 
had  never  been  opened,  and  bore  a  recent  date. 
Tearing  off  the  envelope,  Godfrey  glanced  down 
the  closely  written  page,  expecting  to  find  the 
same  condensed  report  he  was  accustomed  to  re- 
ceive from  the  overseer.  His  curiosity  was,  how- 
ever, aroused  by  observing  the  unusual  length  of 
the  letter,  and  also  by  the  fact  that  Milly^s  name 
occurred  more  than  once  in  its  length.  Why  should 
Paterson  refer  to  her,  he  wondered,  and  what  was 
his  letter  about  ?  Godfrey  began  to  read  more 
carefully.  After  the  date  and  usual  beginning, 
the  letter  proceeded  in  this  wise  : 

^^  Since  writing  you  my  last  report  there  has 
been  a  considerable  change  in  my  prospects — not 
but  that  it  is  a  change  sought  after  by  me,  and 
well  enough  liked  as  things  go.  I  never  could  keep 
my  hand  out  of  politics,  and  now  I  call  myself 
^the  willing  victim  of  party.  ^  In  short,  I  am  fill- 
ing the  place  of  postmaster  of  the  Cross  Koads  in 
place  of  Jake  Turner,  removed.  I  do  not  suppose 
this  has  any  special  interest  for  you,  excepting  so 
far  as  it  takes  me  off  from  the  farm,  and  turns  the 
whole  concern  over  to  the  supervision  of  your 
friend  Hope. 

^^  There  is  a  reason,  however,  for  this  letter,  and 
one  I  am  bound  to  say  I  can^t  clear  my  conscience 
of  without  telling  you. 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  265 

'^You  may  recall  that  evening  some  time  ago 
when  I  first  made  your  acquaintance.  It  was  the 
night  Jake  kicked  up  that  shindy  over  your  lost 
letter.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  he  never  for- 
gave your  getting  the  better  of  him^  for  he  has 
been  playing  about  as  damned  false  with  some  of 
your  letters  to  Miss  Alistair  as  he  has  with  hers  to 
you. 

^^When  I  took  possession  here  I  undertook  to 
have  a  regular  house-cleaning.  The  last  wash-out 
must  have  been  about  the  time  that  the  Ark  rested 
on  Ararat !  Well,  hidden  away  behind  hogsheads 
and  under  loose  boards,  and  in  a  dozen  other  out-of- 
the-way  holes,  I  found  scraps  of  paper  written  over 
in  your  handwriting.  At  first  I  didn^t  take  much 
notice  of  the  fact ;  but  when  I  saw  as  many  more 
half  destroyed  letters  in  a  lady^s  writing  I  thought 
I  recognized,  I  began  to  put  two  and  two  together. 
In  fact,  I  may  as  well  own  up  I  joined  the  pieces 
in  one  or  two  instances,  until  I  made  sure  of  whose 
letters  they  were.  This  is  not  a  kind  of  business 
I  care  anything  for — the  fact  is,  sneaking  has  never 
been  a  part  of  my  plan.  But  when  I  got  the 
notion  that  Jake  had  been  tampering  with  the 
mails,  I  took  it  upon  myself  to  find  out,  and  to 
kind  of  patch  up  any  misunderstanding  there 
might  have  come  out  of  it. 

^^  You  see  ii  is  generally  understood  at  the  Cross 
Eoads  that  Sandy's  daughter  is  just  pining  away. 
They  say  since  last  summer  she  has  not  seen  a  well 
day ;  it  is  generally  understood  hereabouts  that  no 


266  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

one  would  know  her  for  the  same  young  thing  you 
perhaps  remember  she  was  when  you  first  came 
out.  There^s  consumption  in  the  family — her 
mother  had  it  before  her  daughter  was  born. 

' '  I  hope  you  won't  lay  any  blame  to  my  door  for 
telling  you  this^  but  I  couldn't  sleep  sound  know- 
ing how  the  girl  was  grieving. 

^^The  letters  can,  most  of  them,  be  pieced  out 
whole.  I  shall  keep  them  waiting*  the  expression 
of  your  wishes.'^ 

Following  this  were  some  business  statements, 
and  then  the  letter  closed. 

Godfrey  read  it  through  to  the  end  very  care- 
fully. When  he  had  finished  he  entirely  under- 
stood its  significance,  yet  he  would  have  struggled 
to  put  off  a  nearer  view  of  his  position,  but  it 
could  not  be  long  delayed.  He  had  mastered  the 
contents  of  the  letter,  and  they  told  the  whole 
story  succinctly,  definitely,  without  chance  of  mis- 
understanding or  room  for  doubt.  He  had  always 
regarded  Paterson  as  especially  truthful,  and  had 
relied  implicitly  upon  his  fidelity  to  his  interests. 
The  man  had  attracted  him  from  the  first,  showing 
as  he  did  beneath  the  rough  exterior  of  his  manner 
and  person  a  surprising  mental  capacity,  as  well  as 
a  sturdy  moral  worth.  Formerly  he  would  have 
trusted  his  judgment  in  any  emergency,  and  yet 
now  he  felt  an  unreasoning  irritation  at  the  man^s 
interference.  Why  couldn't  he  have  occupied 
himself  with  his  own  affairs?  or,  if  he  must  as- 
sume the  undesirable  office  of  postmaster  of  the 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  267 

Cross  Eoads,  at  least  have  permitted,  the  dead  of 
that  unenviable  district  to  bury  its  dead  ?  Why 
need  he  have  considered  it  his  duty  to  unearth  a 
mystery  that  was  better  left  entombed  ?  If  Fate 
had  decreed  that  his  letters  and  Milly^s  were  to 
fall  into  faithless  hands^  and  thus  all  the  circum- 
stances of  their  lives  be  altered,  why  not  accept  with 
good  grace  what  could  not  be  prevented  ?  But  in 
any  event,  what  difference  could  this  discovery 
make  now  ? 

Matters  were  changed  since  then — decidedly 
changed  ;  indeed,  had  the  change  not  come  about 
through  Milly^s  own  desire  ?  Why  should  he  at- 
tempt to  gainsay  the  obvious  withdrawal  of  her 
faith  and  affection  as  contained  in  her  father^s 
letter  ?  It  had  been  written,  no  doubt,  at  her  dic- 
tation, and  was  he  not  bound  to  accept  such  a  de- 
cision without  question?  At  all  events,  he  had 
done  so,  and  now  was  pledged  to  abide  by  that  de- 
cision. But  that  letter  of  Sandy^s  ?  What  was 
there  in  it  that  to  him  had  never  seemed  to  ring 
with  the  sound  of  true  metal  ?  Was  this  another 
link  in  Paterson's  mystery,  and  as  yet  unsolved? 
Pshaw  !  what  folly  was  all  this  ?  Was  he  becom- 
ing demented,  that  the  crowding  suggestions  of 
his  busy  brain  should  play  such  havoc  with  his 
common  sense  ?  He  had  no  wish  to  linger  over 
any  such  unwelcome  reflections ;  he  must  put 
them  away  from  him  with  a  positive  denial.  It 
was  worse  than  nonsense  to  spend  one's  time  in  at- 
tempting to  solve  riddles  that  held  no  interest  for 


268  A   MAN'S   CONSCIE]!^CB. 

one.  "What  a  meddling,  bothering,  troublesome 
creature  Paterson  was  to  break  in  upon  this  time 
of  absolute  content  with  his  croaking  suggestions  ! 
What  had  Godfrey  to  do  with  Milly's  illness? 
Nothing  ;  he  didn't  want  to  think  about  it,  and  he 
wouldn't. 

He  got  up  from  before  the  table,  and  took  down 
some  foils  crossed  upon  the  wall,  and  began  a  series 
of  thrusts  and  parries  with  an  imaginary  opponent. 
The  exercise,  however,  failed  to  stir  his  blood.  Had 
he  caught  sight  of  himself  in  the  mirror  opposite, 
he  would  have  been  startled  at  the  reflection  con- 
tained therein.  The  foil  failing  to  divert  him,  he 
threw  it  down  impatiently,  picking  up  a  book  in- 
stead ;  but  after  a  page  or  two  had  been  turned, 
he  realized  that  in  the  place  of  reading  he  had  been 
saying  over  and  over  to  himself,  ^^I  wonder  if  she 
will  die  ! "  So,  throwing  the  book  aside  that  was 
so  stupid,  he  decided  to  go  out.  He  would  find 
some  fellows  at  the  club,  and  have  a  game  of 
billiards. 

Eesuming  his  evening  dress,  he  noticed  the  rose 
still  fresh  which  Gwendolen's  slender  fingers  had 
fastened  in  his  buttonhole.  He  remembered  so 
well  how  her  white  hands  looked  :  the  long,  per- 
fectly shaped  fingers,  the  pure  outline  of  palm  and 
wrist,  even  the  jewelled  ring,  his  gift,  that  gleamed 
in  the  firelight.  He  could  see  her,  feel  her  very 
presence,  carried  back  by  the  subtle  perfume  of  the 
rose.  He  pressed  it  passionately  to  his  lips  over  and 
over  again ;  the  petals  felt  like  the  velvet  of  her  lips  ; 


A  MAK'S   COKSCIEKCE.  269 

the  flower^s  fragrance  was  not  sweeter  than  her 
breath.  The  rose  seemed  almost  sentient,  giving  back 
his  caresses,  as  though  seeking  to  soothe  his  heart. 
Tears  forced  themselves  to  his  eyes  and  overflowed, 
streaming  upon  his  cheeks.  In  a  tumult  of  feel- 
ing that  conquered  every  desire  for  control  he  threw 
himself  down  again  in  the  chair  before  the  table. 
With  his  arms  thrown  forward,  he  sobbed  :  ^^  Am  I 
to  be  free  ?  Ah  !  Gwendolen,  Gwendolen  !  my  life, 
my  love  ! '' 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

If  time  did  not  ^^  amble  withal/^  still  it  pro- 
gressed with  even  pace,  bringing  near  the  day  that 
was  to  Godfrey  like  a  sure  haven  after  a  troubled 
voyage.  Ever  since  that  evening  when  he  had  stood 
face  to  face  with  the  unmasked  reality  of  his  posi- 
tion, as  revealed  by  Paterson's  letter,  he  had  felt 
that  the  waves  indeed  rolled  high,  and  were  threat- 
ening to  engulf  him.  The  combat  that  he  was 
ever  raging  with  himself  engendered  a  restlessness 
of  mind  and  manner  that  was  foreign  to  his  nature. 

He  spent  as  much  of  the  day  as  possible  with 
Gwendolen,  warding  off  by  her  association  the  un- 
welcome questionings  that  beset  his  solitary  mo- 
ments. There  were  many  necessary  engagements 
to  fill  the  day,  and  the  evenings  were  rarely  with- 
out some  social  entertainment  that  required  their 
presence.  Not  a  moment  was  to  be  spent  alone, 
Godfrey  seemed  to  think  in  these  days  ;  for  after 
leaving  Gwendolen  at  as  late  an  hour  as  Lilian, 
the  most  indulgent  of  chaperons,  would  permit,  he 
still  found  excuse  for  not  returning  to  his  cham- 
bers and  shutting  himself  up  with  his  thoughts. 
He  had  developed  a  most  astonishing  liking  for 
men  he  had  formerly  regarded  in  the  light  of  mere 
acquaintances.     And,  indeed,  it  was  observed  at 


A  man's  conscience.  271 

his  club  that  when  he  sauntered  in  at  an  hour 
that  thinned  the  choice  of  companions  he  would 
embrace  the  society  of  men  whom  he  had  never 
hesitated  to  term  bores,  if  nothing  worse,  rather 
than  resort  to  the  alternative  of  his  own  society. 

He  was  the  object  of  not  a  little  harmless  joking 
among  the  men  who  knew  him  best.  ''  Galbraith 
has  vowed  himself  to  perpetual  wakefulness  until 
after  the  happy  day.  He  is  making  most  of  the 
time  left  by  way  of  a  lingering  farewell  to  the  past. 
If  one  is  known  to  ignore  the  creature  comforts  of 
eating,  drinking,  and  sleeping,  there  is  a  common 
conceit  that  leads  one  to  "  chercher  la  femme  y"  in 
this  instance  she  is  found,  but  it  is  quite  true 
that  Galbraith  couldn't  stand  much  more  happi- 
ness.'' 

When  finally  Godfrey  could  find  no  further  ex- 
cuse for  detaining  his  friends  or  remaining  longer 
in  their  society,  he  still  seemed  possessed  with  a 
spirit  of  wakefulness  that  would  not  let  him  rest. 
He  made  the  acquaintance  during  those  summer 
nights  of  many  strange  phases  of  the  great  city 
which  surrounded  him.  Walking  for  miles  in  and 
out  of  its  thoroughfares  between  midnight  and  the 
early  dawn,  he  came  across  strange  scenes  that 
roused  even  his  preoccupied  interest.  One  night 
he  had  wandered  far  away  from  any  familiar  track, 
finding  himself  at  length  in  one  of  those  dull  and 
dismal  streets  that  lead  off  from  a  glittering,  noisy 
East  End  thoroughfare.  It  was  long  past  mid- 
night, and  every  light  in  the  narrow  street  had 


272  A  MAN^s  coitscie:n^ce. 

been  extinguished,  save  an  occasional  street-lamp 
that  already  cast  a  sickly  glare  by  reason  -  of  the 
first  undecided  breath  of  dawn  that  already  hovered 
in  the  sky.  The  street  was  absolutely  deserted, 
and  seemed  dark  in  comparison  with  the  glare  of 
that  music-hall  centre  through  which  he  had  just 
passed.  Not  a  footfall  sounded,  not  a  shade  of 
living  thing  moved.  Godfrey  felt  as  much  alone 
with  the  night  as  though  miles  away  from  any 
human  habitation.  His  step  echoed  intrusively  in 
the  sleeping  street,  and  woke  him  from  absorbed 
preoccupation  with  a  start  of  wonder.  Where  was 
he  ?  he  asked  himself.  How  far  had  he  come  ? 
It  must  be  late  ;  and  he  glanced  at  his  watch  under 
a  convenient  street-lamp.  Three  o'clock  !  What 
spirit  possessed  him  to  wander  about  in  this  fash- 
ion ?  He  would  have  laughed  at  another  man 
who  thus  tried  to  kill  time.  Was  he  killing  time  ? 
Was  it  impatience  to  hurry  on  the  joy  of  his  mar- 
riage-day that  drove  him  out  into  the  night,  wan- 
dering hither  and  thither  like  one  possessed  ?  He 
acted  as  though  sleep  were  denied  him  or  a  place 
to  lay  his  head.  Three  o'clock  I  What  a  fool  a 
man  can  make  of  himself  !  Here  he  was  miles 
from  any  quarter  he  recognized,  and  now  would 
have  all  the  difficulty  of  getting  back  before  day- 
light actually  dawned.  It  scarcely  seemed  respect- 
able, and  certainly  not  in  accord  with  his  usual 
ways.  Jackson  must  consider  him  quite  mad. 
He  quickened  his  step,  hoping  to  regain  some 
street  where  a  friendly  omnibus  might  help  him 


A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  273 

over  some  of  the  way  that  lay  between  him  and  his 
quarters  off  Piccadilly. 

As  he  hurried  towards  a  wider  street  that  cut 
the  narrow  one  at  right  angles  a  young  girl  flashed 
past  him  out  of  the  light.  She  was  hatless  and 
without  cloak,  but  as  she  ran  her  fair  hair  became 
unloosened,  and  fell  about  her  like  a  mantle  of 
gold.  As  she  passed  Godfrey  she  uttered  a  low 
moan  of  pain  or  distress,  but  kept  on  her  way 
down  the  narrow  street.  Once  as  she  glanced  back 
over  her  shoulder  with  terrified,  wide-open  eyes, 
something  in  their  expression  arrested  him.  Here 
was  trouble  of  a  kind  that  could  not  be  ignored. 
He  forgot  his  own  haunting  thoughts,  carried  out 
of  himself  by  the  sound  of  the  low  wailing  sigh 
that  had  reached  him. 

There  were  many  women  like  this — it  was  not  a 

new  sight ;  but  somehow  the  terror  of  the  girl's 

expression  conveyed  more  than  the  usual  tale  of 

mocking  womanhood.     AVhat  should  he  do  ?     To 

follow  her  seemed   almost  more  unkind   than  to 

leave  her  to  work  out  her  misery  alone.     But  the 

cry !      He   could  not    mistake    that ;   there  was 

physical  suffering  in  it,  if  nothing  else.    He  turned, 

following  her  at  a  distance  down  the  dim  street. 

He  walked  rapidly  to  keep  her  in  sight;  but  before 

she  had  reached  the  opposite   end  she  hesitated, 

faltered,  staggered,  it  seemed  to  Godfrey,  who  now 

was  near  her.     Again   she   uttered  that   strange 

moan  like  one  in  bodily  anguish.     This  time  there 

was  no  doubt    of  its  physical  origin.     With  a 
18 


274  A   MAIL'S   COi^SCIENCB. 

desperate  effort  to  save  herself  from  falling,  tlie 
girl  made  a  clutch  at  the  iron  railing  near  her, 
but,  failing  to  reach  the  support,  sank  helpless  on 
the  pavement.  In  an  instant  Godfrey  was  beside 
her,  and  had  partly  lifted  her,  so  that  she  leaned 
against  his  supporting  knee.  She  had  not  become 
unconscious,  though  suffering  a  torment  that  al- 
most rent  her  girlish  frame.  She  made  an  effort 
to  regain  her  feet,  but  collapsed  again  into  her 
former  attitude. 

^^  You  are  in  pain  ? ''  questioned  Godfrey  kindly. 
^^May  I  not  do  something  for  you?  You  need 
help  ;  let  me  aid  you. '' 

'^  Ko,  no  ! ''  she  exclaimed  anxiously,  catching 
her  words  between  great  spasms  of  pain.  "  I  don't 
want  help — I  want  to  be  left  alone,  left  alone  to 
die.  Don't  try  to  save  me,''  she  pleaded ;  ''  I 
don't  want  to  live — I've  lived  too  long.  It  is  a 
bitter  world,  a  wicked  world,  a  cruel  world  !  I 
want  to  die  !  " 

For  the  first  time  a  suspicion  of  the  truth  flashed 
across  Godfrey.  Had  this  girl,  then,  this  young 
frail  creature,  tested  the  bitterness  of  living,  and 
so  soon  decided  that  she  would  cheat  life  of  its 
hold  upon  her  ? 

He  knew  little  of  the  symptoms  which  medical 
men  read  as  we  do  the  open  pages  of  a  book  ;  but 
it  did  not  require  clever  discernment  to  decide 
what  this  suffering  woman  had  brought  upon  her- 
self. She  groaned  incessantly,  moving  from  side 
to  side,  as  though  trying  to  elude  the  lapping  waves 


A  MAK'S  CO]!srSCIBNCE.  275 

of  some  inward  encroaching  fire.  Her  fair  hair 
fell  about  her,  sweeping  the  damp  dirty  pavement 
with  folds  of  gold.  Its  look,  its  touch,  sent  a  long 
shuddering  sigh  through  Godfrey^s  frame.  He 
cleared  his  hand  from  the  trailing  threads,  letting 
her  lean  without  other  support  against  his  knee. 

^^Tellme/^  he  said,  bending  near  her,  ^^what 
have  you  done  that  you  should  be  like  this  ?  Tell 
me  the  truth,  as  you  hope  God  will  forgive  you. 
Have  you  dared  to  tamper  with  your  life  ?  Have 
you  tried  to  poison  yourself  ?  '^  One  must  have 
drained  the  possibilities  of  life  to  the  very  dregs 
to  be  thus  early  bent  on  giving  it  up,  he  thought. 

She  gave  a  short  bitter  laugh.  ^^  Tampered 
with  my  life  !  ISTo,  not  I,  but  him  !  He  has  tam- 
pered with  it,  played  with  it,  trespassed  upon  it, 
stolen,  trampled  on  it,  and  thrown  it  away — away 
— away  !  Do  not  take  me  back,^^  she  gasped  ;  ^^  if 
you  do  ril  kill  you  !  '^  she  threatened,  desperately, 
her  voice  trailing  off  into  a  groan.  She  had  uttered 
the  words  between  such  gasps  of  pain  that  Godfrey 
felt  not  a  moment  must  be  lost  if  her  life  were  in- 
deed to  be  saved.  A  doctor  must  be  obtained  in 
some  way,  but  not  a  creature  passed,  nor  was  there 
sign  of  life  nearer  than  the  wide  avenue  at  the 
end  of  the  street.  He  decided  that  for  her  ulti- 
mate succor  he  must  leave  her  in  comparative 
insecurity  for  a  few  minutes. 

'^  Listen,^^  he  said  ;  ^^I  must  leave  you  for  a  few 
moments  while  I  go  in  search  of  help.  Try  to 
realize  what  is  the  matter  with  you,  where  you 


276  A   MAK'S   COKSCIEiTCE. 

are,  and  do  what  you  can  to  keep  your  conscious- 
ness/^ 

He  laid  her  gently  down  on  the  cold  pavement, 
and  ran  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  the  road  beyond. 
All  down  the  street  her  groans  followed  him. 

This,  too,  was  a  woman  who  had  loved.  Young 
and  fair  and  trusting,  she  might  once  have  known 
the  influence  of  a  country  home,  with  all  its  inno- 
cent surroundings :  have  felt  a  mother^s  love,  a 
father's—  My  God  !  Why  did  he  think  of  Milly  ? 
Such  things  were  every  day;  only  this  one  had 
trusting  eyes  and  that  look  of  confiding  tenderness 
that  called  up  visions  he  thought  were  slain.  Had 
he  slain  Milly  ?  he  asked  himself,  aghast.  The 
question  seemed  to  burn  into  his  brain.  There 
were  murders  as  sure  as  the  brutal  ones  of  knife 
and  pistol.  Was  she  really  dying  because  of  him? 
Paterson  had  said  so.  Was  her  death — if  she  were 
to  die — on  his  head,  as  surely  as  this  poor  creature^s 
whom  he  had  just  left  was  upon  the  soul  of  her 
betrayer?  Had  he,  too,  tampered  with  a  woman^s 
love — stolen  and  thrown  it  away  ?  Who  had  the 
right  to  ask  these  questions  ?  He  thought  he  had 
stilled  that  appealing  voice,  and  for  ever.  What 
did  it  mean  that  here  in  the  streets  of  an  unknown 
part  of  this  mighty  city — covering,  as  it  does,  whole 
miles  of  aching  hearts — he  should  once  again  be 
brought  face  to  face  with  the  memory  of  his  own 
past  through  the  tragedy  of  which  he  had  been  an 
accidental  witness  ? 

He  hurried  on.     Was  there  never  a  policeman 


A   MAN'S  COJS^SCIEKCE.  277 

to  be  found  on  his  beat  when  wanted  ?  Godfrey 
wondered  impatiently. 

The  street  had  suddenly  become  as  silent  as  the 
grave,  for  even  the  dwellers  of  noisy  neighborhoods 
must  sleep  some  time.  As  Godfrey  ran,  he  called 
in  urgent  tones  that  rang  out  on  the  night,  and 
would  have  penetrated  any  corner  where  the  ^^guar- 
dians ''  might  be  temporarily  hidden.  Housing  no 
one,  Godfrey  was  on  the  point  of  turning  back, 
urged  by  the  thought  of  the  girl  alone,  perhaps 
dying.  Just  then,  from  out  an  alley-way  flashed 
the  point  of  light  he  so  anxiously  sought. 

'^  For  God^s  sake,  get  a  doctor  from  somewhere, 
quick,  and  come  I  There^s  a  young  woman  dying 
down  the  street !  She's  taken  poison,  I  fear — in- 
deed, she  owns.  Can't  you  hurry  yourself  ?'' he 
called  impatiently  to  the  deliberate  moving  police- 
man, who,  hardened  by  the  frequency  of  such  ap- 
peals, had  shown  no  sign  of  haste  in  his  move- 
ments. Coming  closer,  however,  and  observing 
from  Godfrey's  dress  and  manner  that  he  was  not 
dealing  with  the  usual  frequenter  of  the  quarter, 
he  stepped  forward  hastily,  coming  up  beside  God- 
frey. He  cast  a  penetrating  glance  upon  him, 
holding  up  his  lantern  so  that  the  light  flashed  in 
his  face. 

^^  Never  mind  me  ! ''  Godfrey  exclaimed  impa- 
tiently. ^^It's  the  girl  dying  on  the  pavement 
that  I  am  anxious  about.  Can't  you  get  a 
doctor  ?  " 

''  Yes,  quick  enough.    There's  one  at  the  station 


278  A  MAN'S  CONSCIEKCB. 

close  here,  ready  for  just  such  cases.  There^s 
plenty  of  ^em  in  a  year/^  He  spoke  coldly,  for  it 
seemed  to  him  that  the  young  swell  was  uncom- 
monly interested  in  this  chance  case  he  spoke  of. 

^^  Where  is  it  ?  "  he  asked. 

Godfrey  shuddered. 

'^  She's  alive !  Hurry,  man,  in  the  name  of 
humanity  !     Perhaps  we  can  save  her.'^ 

'^  Can't  usually  when  they  gets  as  far  as  that. 
They  make  a  sure  thing  of  it,  being  deserted. 
They  takes  enough  at  a  dose  to  kill  a  dozen  strong 


men/' 


Godfrey  was  out  of  hearing,  half-way  back  al- 
ready. He  could  again  make  out  the  dim  outline 
of  the  girl  stretched  where  he  had  left  her  on  the 
stones. 

The  ashen  light  of  dawn  was  trembling  in  the 
sky — ^just  creeping  on  over  the  vast  plain  of  bricks 
and  mortar,  and  hardly  yet  penetrating  to  the 
streets  below  or  lighting  at  all  the  hidden  byways 
of  the  great  city. 

Godfrey  shivered  ;  the  air  seemed  colder  now 
that  he  could  dimly  discern  the  atmosphere.  He 
buttoned  his  light  overcoat  closely  about  his  throat, 
thrusting  his  cold  hands  deep  into  his  pockets  as 
he  ran.  What  should  he  find  ?  He  scarcely  dared 
think.  There  was  something  so  awful  in  the 
thought  of  this  young  life  going  out  without  friend 
to  save  or  woman  to  mourn.  She  looked  so  girl- 
ish— not  as  old  as  Milly — and  so  fair,  he  said,  again 
bending  over  her.     She  was  breathing  still  in  long 


*'  llie  burly  guardian  of  the  peace  was  already  suggestinff  the 
expediency  of  a  '' i>tretcJier''  and  conveyance  to  the  nearest 
mortuary. ''' 


A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE.  279 

difficult  gasps  that  seemed  almost  to  rend  soul  and 
body.  Her  eyes  were  closed,  and  about  them  were 
rings  of  purple  that  gave  them  the  appearance  of 
being  deeply  sunken.  Her  lips  looked  thin  and 
drawn,  showing  the  even  rows  of  perfect  teeth  set 
in  a  line  that  left  no  expression  save  that  of  agony. 

No  consciousness  was  there  now  of  man's  be- 
trayal, of  woman's  chill  intolerance,  of  the  world's 
scorn,  or  of  Christ's  pity.  The  dark  veil  descend- 
ing had  shut  out  all  bitter  memory  of  her  short 
years,  and  had  not  yet  been  drawn  aside  to  reveal 
the  far-reaching  mercy  of  eternity. 

The  doctor,  who  had  now  arrived,  stood  above 
her,  uttering  the  cold  formula  of  his  professional 
opinion.  The  burly  guardian  of  the  peace,  who 
had  accompanied  him,  was  already  suggesting  the 
expediency  of  a  '^stretcher"  and  conveyance  to 
the  nearest  mortuary.  The  dawn  crept  down,  and 
even  gained  place  in  the  narrow  confines  of  the 
damp  street ;  the  gaslight  flickered,  feebly  con- 
tending with  the  encroaching  sun;  blinds  were 
drawn  up  or  curtains  pushed  aside  with  the  lazy 
deliberation  of  those  who  rise  from  necessity,  not 
choice.  A  slight  stir  in  the  houses  on  either  hand 
betokened  the  mastery  of  that  exacting  sovereign. 
Labor ;  for  without  toil  this  part  of  the  world  at 
least  does  not  exist. 

The  policeman  had  moved  away  again,  bent  on 
the  practical  details  of  his  case.  The  doctor  laid 
his  hand  once  more  on  the  girl's  heart  and  pro- 
nounced it  still.     And  so  the  day  dawned. 


280  A  MAK'S   CONSCIEKCE. 

^^  Had  you  any  interest  in  the  girl  ?  '^  questioned 
the  man  of  medicine,  scrutinizing  Godfrey  keenly. 

'^  None  whatever,  except  such  as  a  man  may  feel 
for  a  suffering  fellow-creature.  I  came  across  her 
quite  by  accident,  as  she  fell  prostrate  in  the 
street.  ^^ 

^'Hadn't  you  better  be  off,  then,  before  the  in- 
vestigation and  all  the  rest  ? ''  the  doctor  questioned 
dryly.  ^^  I  can  see  you  ain't  in  it ;  but  it  might  be 
awkward  for  you  to  be  detained  as  witness,  or  to 
have  your  name  mixed  up  in  the  case.'' 

*'  Thank  you  for  the  hint,''  answered  Godfrey 
warmly  ;  ^^  I  hadn't  thought  of  the  consequences  ; " 
taking  in  for  the  first  time  the  unpleasant  bearing 
such  a  connection  might  entail.  ^'  But  it  would 
have  made  no  difference  if  I  had,"  he  added.  '^  I 
should  like  to  have  her  buried  differently  from 
women  of  her  kind,"  he  went  on.  ''1  can't  think 
of  her  as  a  criminal,  but  rather  as  one  who  has 
been  dealt  a  death-blow  by  some  murderous  hand. 
Could  you  see  to  it  all  ?"  he  asked  comprehen- 
sively. ^^I  would  gladly  meet  any  expense  that 
would  be  incurred.  It  is  too  sad  to  leave  her  with 
no  one  to  care  for  her  even  in  death." 

The  professional  man  regarded  him  again  curi- 
ously. 

^'  You  take  a  lot  of  interest  in  her,  seeing  she's 
only  a  stranger.  But  I  will  carry  out  your  idea  if 
you  like,  and  see  that  she  has  decent  burial." 

Godfrey  took  some  bank-notes  from  his  pocket, 
handing  them  to  the  doctor,  who  still  seemed  puz- 


A  MAK'S  COITSCIEKCE.  281 

zled  by  his  interest  in  the  unknown  girl  lying  at 
their  feet.  He  tried  to  regain  his  usual  manner, 
saying,  by  way  of  explanation:  ^^I  suppose  it  is 
the  contrast  that  affects  me.  You  see,  I  am  aw- 
fully happy  myself.  I  am  going  to  be  married 
within  a  few  days,  and  it  is  the  thought  of  the 
difference  that  fills  me  with  sympathy  in  thinking 
of  this  forsaken  girl.^^ 

'^^Yes,  I  see,""  from  the  doctor.  ^^You  had 
better  get  out  of  the  way,  then,  for  you  will  not  be 
happier  by  further  association  with  a  scene  like 
this.  I  wish  you  joy  ! ""  he  said,  stretching  out  his 
hand  over  the  prostrate  form. 

Godfrey  looked  dazed. 

^^  Ah,  yes,  I  had  forgotten.     Good-night ! '' 

"  Good-night,  though  it's  broad  daylight,  as  you 
see.  I'll  see  that  the  girl  has  decent  treatment 
from  now  on,'' he  added  in  a  kindlier  tone,  ^^if 
that  will  be  any  satisfaction  to  you." 

''  Thank  you  again,'''  from  Godfrey,  as  he  turned 
and  left  the  dismal  little  street. 

Reaching  the  broader  thoroughfare,  he  roused  a 
sleepy  cabman,  and  induced  him  to  mount  his  box 
and  carry  him  within  easy  reach  of  his  chambers. 

Still  shivering  in  the  fresh  morning  air,  he  drew 
his  coat-collar  up  about  his  ears,  settling  himself  in 
a  corner  of  the  creaking  conveyance.  With  closed 
eyes  and  determined  will  he  endeavored  to  shut 
out  from  both  bodily  and  mental  vision  the  scene 
he  had  j  ust  left  behind.  The  effort,  how^e ver,  proved 
fruitless,  for  the  dead  girl's  face  kept  him  company 
all  the  way. 


CHAPTER  XXIIL 

The  impression  left  by  this  chance  encounter 
did  not  diminish  as  the  day  advanced.  Godfrey 
dwelt  upon  every  detail  of  the  scene  so  recently 
witnessed  with  a  persistence  only  accounted  for  by 
the  abnormal  mental  excitement  under  which  he 
labored.  Moreover,  the  experience  of  the  night 
before  or  the  accumulated  strain  of  preceding  ones 
had  acted  upon  his  physical  condition,  until  now 
the  nervous  tension  took  the  natural  revenge  of 
bodily  suifering.  Trying  to  rise  after  a  few  hours 
of  troubled  sleep,  he  found  himself  unable  to  grap- 
ple with  and  subdue  the  feverish  symptoms  that  al- 
ready rendered  him  nerveless  and  exhausted.  Yield- 
ing to  the  importunities  of  his  faithful  servant, 
he  again  laid  his  aching  head  on  his  pillow,  glad  to 
relinquish  the  intention  of  keeping  an  engagement 
of  no  grave  importance  with  Gwendolen.  In  his 
stead  he  despatched  a  brief  note  promising  to  visit 
her  before  the  day  ended.  Contrary  to  every  usual 
impulse,  no  thought  of  turning  to  her  as  a  refuge 
against  the  new  perplexities  that  had  arisen  oc- 
curred to  him.  He  felt  rather  that  he  would 
gladly  shut  her  out  from  all  participation  in  the 
thoughts  that  haunted  him.      He  shrank  from 


A  MAN'S   COi^SCIEi^CE.  283 

associating  her  with  a  memory  so  opposed  to  her 
rare  purity. 

In  fact,  he  soon  sank  again  into  half-waking 
dreams  of  that  scene  so  vividly  painted  upon  his 
memory.  A  curious  mingling  of  the  real  and  un- 
real chased  like  phantoms  through  his  quick- 
moving  brain,  until  he  could  not  have  told  what 
had  been  lived  in  the  flesh  or  where  the  thin  line 
of  imagination  separated  the  actual  from  dreams. 

The  stranger  dying  on  the  pavement  became 
Milly  stretched  on  her  own  beloved  verandah  in  the 
desolate  distance  of  the  plain.  Wistful  eyes  were 
raised  to  his,  but  in  them  reproach  had  wiped  out 
all  the  old  love-light.  By  a  sudden  shifting  of  the 
kaleidoscopic  fancies  that  possessed  him,  Milly  was 
lost ;  but  out  of  the  new  figures  dancing  in  haunt- 
ing unrest  before  his  mind^s  vision  grew  Gwen- 
dolen, only  now  with  a  countenance  transfigured 
by  the  righteous  rebuke  which  spoke  from  its  every 
line.  Then  this  vision,  too,  changed  to  that  one 
more  definite,  more  lingering  than  all  the  rest— 
Milly  dying. 

Between  uncomfortable  moments  of  dozing  and 
half- wakefulness,  Godfrey  took  himself  to  task  with 
what  vigor  of  will  he  could  summon,  seeking  to 
establish  a  better  understanding  with  himself. 
He  tried  to  view  the  shifting  images  in  their  true 
light  and  relative  position.  He  endeavored  to  show 
himself  the  absurdity  of  believing  that  any  fatuous 
occurrence  such  as  that  of  the  night  before  could 
have  any  bearing  whatever  on  one's  actual  plan  or 


284  A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE. 

experience ;  but  before  he  had  reached  any  satis- 
factory conclusion  the  practical  would  again  merge 
in  the  thick-clustering  fancies  of  his  weary  brain. 

Towards  night,  however,  gaining  a  somewhat 
better  control  of  both  bodily  and  mental  well- 
being,  he  determined  to  dress  himself  and  go  out. 
He  would  not,  he  decided,  go  direct  to  the  house 
in  Charles  Street,  but  dine  alone  in  some  retired 
restaurant  where  he  ran  no  risk  of  meeting  ac- 
quaintances. He  now  felt  the  same  anxiety  in 
avoiding  companionship  that  he  recently  had  in 
seeking  it.  He  needed  a  little  space  in  which  to 
marshall  his  confused  thoughts  in  more  orderly 
train  before  meeting  Gwendolen.  He  was  glad  to 
be  free  from  even  his  servant^s  anxious  surveillance. 
He  wanted  to  be  alone,  that  he  might  still  these 
restless  imaginings  once  for  all — working  out  a 
plan  of  definite  action.  Yet  when  he  tried  to  spur 
his  will  to  meet  the  situation  face  to  face  he  still 
remained  strangely  apathetic. 

Even  the  thought  of  seeing  Gwendolen  conveyed 
not  the  faintest  warmth  to  heart  or  brain.  The 
proud  exultation  he  had  always  felt  when  on  his 
way  to  her  seemed  lost  now  in  one  of  complicated 
doubt.  He  was,  however,  beginning  to  separate 
the  fancies  of  an  overstrained  brain  from  the  whis- 
perings of  that  voice  which  spoke  within  him.  In 
seeking  to  control  the  one  he  had  realized  the 
other.  For  who  can  trace  the  subtleties  of  con- 
science, or  show  by  what  processes  of  reasoning  it 
establishes  place  and  sways  our  outward   action? 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEiq-CE.  285 

A  knowledge  with  another/  and  that  other  the 
Omniscient,  works  strange  marvels  in  our  visible 
acts. 

A  growing  resolve  was  taking  form  in  the  con- 
fused, crowding  suggestions  that  revealed  them- 
selves in  Godfrey^s  mind.  Out  of  the  vague  im- 
pression of  the  day  dawned  one  clearer,  bolder, 
more  compelling  than  all  the  rest.  As  it  gradually 
took  form,  standing  alone  at  last  amid  the  wreck 
of  every  other  possibility,  he  wondered  that  he  had 
so  long  been  blind  to  its  proportion  or  been  able  to 
resist  its  compelling  power. 

The  waiter,  handing  him  his  coat  and  hat  as  he 
arose  after  his  scarcely  tasted  dinner,  gave  him  a 
look  of  uncontrolled  curiosity.  Surely  this  gen- 
erous young  patron  must  have  been  taken  ill,  or, 
at  the  very  least,  have  come  across  something  ex- 
tremely startling  in  that  newspaper  he  had  so  per- 
sistently read  since  his  entrance,  to  have  thus 
changed  in  expression.  He  looked  older  than  when 
he  had  seated  himself  at  the  round  table  in  the 
corner ;  indeed,  the  light  of  youth  seemed  sud- 
denly quenched  in  his  care-worn  face. 

And  what  wonder  was  it  ?  Godfrey  had  arrived 
at  a  decision  during  that  short  hour.  He  now 
knew  what  he  intended,  definitely,  irrevocably. 
He  was  going  to  Gwendolen  on  an  errand  never 
before  conceived  by  him,  conveying  a  message  that 
would  indeed  shut  out  youth,  joy — he  only  wished 
he  could  believe,  end  existence.  He  could  not 
have  imagined  that  such  an  hour  would  dawn,  and 


286  A  MAIL'S  C0:N^SCIE2!;rCE, 

yet  that  he  would  have  moved>  breathed,  and  gone 
about  as  other  men  do.  But  where  is  the  emotion 
that  will  clog  the  heart  Avheels  ! 

Mechanically  putting  on  his  coat  and  hat,  he 
went  out  into  the  rain,  heedless  of  the  steady  down- 
pour that  had  set  in  during  the  hour  spent  in  the 
restaurant,  and  equally  oblivious  to  the  waiter's 
solicitous  offers  of  cab  or  umbrella.  Indeed,  the 
rain  beat  upon  his  heated  face  with  refreshing 
coolness.  Making  his  way  through  the  jostling 
crowd,  he  hastened  on  over  the  wet  pavement  in 
the  direction  of  the  familiar  quarter  he  sought. 
With  bodily  sense  he  saw  but  little  that  passed 
around  him ;  but  across  the  limit  of  his  brain's 
vision  appeared,  as  though  written  in  letters  of  fire, 
^^  You  are  a  coward  to  conscience,  a  traitor  to  your 
soul,  unless  you  go  to  her  and  make  confession.'^ 

Arriving  at  the  door,  he  learned  that  Gwendolen 
was  in  her  own  boudoir — a  small  sitting-room  on 
the  second  floor,  opening  oif  the  larger  drawing- 
rooms.  This  was  used  by  Lilian  and  her  when 
alone,  and  Godfrey,  as  one  of  the  family,  was  often 
admitted  there. 

He  scarcely  paused  for  the  ceremony  of  knocking, 
but,  opening  the  door,  had  his  hand  on  the  heavy 
curtain  to  draw  it  aside  before  Gwendolen's  answer 
reached  him. 

He  stood  for  a  second  with  the  folds  still  in  his 
hand,  trying  with  all  the  force  of  his  will  to  nerve 
himself  for  what  he  knew  was  before  him.  The 
prospect  seemed  more  than  he  could  endure.    ^But 


"  He  beheld  her  staviding  alone  near  the  centre  of  the  rooin^  clad 
from  head  to  foot  in  the  spotless  white  of  her  wedding-robe.'^^ 


A  MAK'S  CONSCIENCE.  287 

difficult  as  he  realized  the  interview  would  prove, 
there  were  still  circumstances  which  he  had  not 
anticipated  that  were  destined  to  make  his  resolve 
tremble  again  in  the  balance. 

Raising  his  eyes  to  greet  the  loved  woman,  whom 
he  felt  rather  than  saw  before  him,  he  beheld  her 
standing  alone  near  the  centre  of  the  room,  clad 
from  head  to  foot  in  the  spotless  white  of  her 
wedding-robe.  The  rich  folds  of  shining  satin  fell 
about  her  in  symbolic  purity  ;  the  shadowy  film  of 
her  wedding- veil  encompassed  her  as'with  a  cloud  ; 
above  her  brow  were  wreathed  orange-blossoms, 
emblematic  of  the  bride's  chaste  offering. 

Godfrey  caught  his  breath  with  a  sob  of  pain. 
This,  then,  was  what  he  was  called  upon  to  give  up 
if  he  obeyed  that  voice  he  had  resolved  to  heed  if 
he  would  not  brand  himself — who  would  be  her 
husband — a  coward.  Ah !  it  was  cruel.  He  could 
not  meet  the  sacrifice.  How  could  he  thrust  her 
from  him  now  when  she  was  almost  within  his 
arms  ?  How  had  he  strength  to  put  her  away  when 
in  a  few  hours  he  would  call  her  wife,  bone  of  his 
bone,  flesh  of  his  flesh  ?  Would  anything  justify 
a  man  in  breaking  a  tie  so  sacred,  pledging  himself 
to  a  renunciation  that  must  perforce  include  her 
in  the  sacrifice  ?  He  did  not  know.  All  that  he 
was  directly  conscious  of  was  the  soft  depths  of 
her  shining  eyes,  and  the  satin  that  fell  about  her, 
sweeping  the  floor. 

He  made  no  move  towards  her,  nor  endeavored 
to  utter  a  single  word.     But  the  expression  of  his 


288  A  MAK'S   CON-SCIEKCE. 

white  face  startled  Gwendolen,  She  moved  a  step 
towards  him  with  both  hands  outstretched ;  he  did 
not  take  them  or  attempt  a  greeting  of  any  nature. 

^^  Godfrey/^  she  said  softly,  ^^I  thought  you 
would  like  to  see  me — even  before  our  day — in  my 
wedding-gown.  I  put  it  on  to-night  in  anticipa- 
tion. I  thought  to  please  you,  dear.  Are  you  not 
glad?^^ 

As  he  made  no  answer,  still  gazing  into  her  eyes 
with  a  look  of  unspeakable  pain,  she  spoke  again. 

^^  You  do  not  think  it  wrong,  unmaidenly,  to  be 
so  impatient  for  the  time  when  I  may  wear  the 
dress  as  a  bride  ? ''  she  questioned,  with  a  crimson 
flush  dyeing  her  cheeks. 

^^ Wrong!  my  dove,  my  spotless  one?  What 
could  you  ever  do  that  that  word  would  describe  ? 
No ;  all  wrong  is  left  for  others  ;  you  do  not  rest 
in  its  shadow.  You  are  as  free  as  God's  sunlight. 
Ah,  Gwendolen  !  tell  me,  love,  what  curse  follows 
me  that  I  cannot  cast  away  every  thought  but  one 
of  supreme  joy  ?  What  hinders  me  from  mad  de- 
light in  your  loveliness,  and  in  the  thought  that 
you  are  mine  ? '' 

He  spoke  excitedly,  miserably,  trying  to  wrench 
a  satisfying  answer  from  his  own  heart  or  hers. 

Gwendolen  came  nearer.  She  had  grown  white 
to  the  lips,  though  they  still  tried  bravely  to  smile  as 
she  met  his  eyes.  But  what  she  saw  there  changed 
the  shadowy  ray  that  played  about  them  to  a  tense 
expression  of  apprehension.  What  she  feared,  she 
knew  not,  only  she  intuitively  felt  that  some  new 


A  mak's  conscieitce.  289 

and  dreadful  experience  hung  upon  the  next  words 
spoken. 

She  cleared  the  tissue  of  lace  from  before  her 
face,  pushing  it  back  hastily  without  regard  to 
the  veil's  filmy  freshness.  She  had  forgotten  its 
significance,  the  joy  with  which  a  few  moments 
before  she  had  fastened  the  crown  of  orange-blos- 
soms; crushing  the  lace  between  her  hands,  she 
waited  to  meet  the  blow  she  felt  impended.  Yet 
in  this  supreme  moment  she  seemed  less  moved 
than  he. 

^^Tell  me,  dearest, ^^  she  began,  tremblingly, 
^^it  is  not  too  late  :  tell  me  what  stands  between 
you  and  me — between  you  and  happiness  ?  Is  it 
that  you  are  not  yet  free  to  love  me  ?  Let  us  not 
act  the  part  of  cowards  and  shrink  from  pain.  If  it 
is  to  be  sorrow,  denial,  sacrifice,  let  us  be  true  to 
each  other — true  to  truth — and  face  whatever  is 
before  us  with  faith  in  each  other.  Do  you  re- 
member that  summer  night  long  ago  in  the  larch- 
wood?  I  made  you  a  promise  then,  and  I  shall 
have  the  courage  to  redeem  it  now.  I  will  help 
you,  Godfrey. '^ 

He  had  partly  turned  from  her,  no  longer  trust- 
ing himself  to  behold  the  light  fade  from  her  joy- 
ous face.  With  both  palms  pressed  against  his 
eyes,  he  tried  to  shut  out  the  appealing  love  in 
hers. 

^'It  is  not  too  late,'"  she  said  again.  But  he 
could  not  bear  the  pain  her  voice  betrayed.  He 
forgot  his  resolve,  he  no   longer   listened  to  the 

19 


290  A  MAN'S   CONSCIEKCE. 

voice  within ;  all  was  as  naught  in  comparison 
with  his  love  for  her. 

^^It  is  nothing,  Gwen,  nothing.  Forget  what 
has  seemed  strange  in  me.  I  have  been  ill,  suffer- 
ing ;  I  am  not  myself.  What  a  fool  I  am  to  give 
way  to  imaginings  like  a  nervous  woman  !  ^^  he 
laughed  hysterically,  striking  his  palms  together. 
'^I  had  a  strange  adventure  last  night/^  finding 
an  excuse  in  the  most  vivid  of  his  memories.  ^^I 
don^t  like  to  think  of  it  even  yet.  Somehow  the 
remembrance  haunts  me,  try  as  I  will  to  shake  it 
off.  A  young  girl,  deserted,  was  tired  of  living. 
She  took  her  own  life,  Gw^en ;  I  haj)pened  to  be 
beside  her  when  she  died  in  the  street.  0,  it  was 
horrible  !  But  why  should  I  think  of  her  here, 
when  I  have  you  near  me,  my  beautiful  one  ? 
There  ought  not  to  be  room  left  in  my  brain  for 
remembrance  such  as  that.  AYhat  can  it  matter 
what  I  saw  last  night,  what  has  ever  happened, 
what  is  to  come,  if  only  once  you  are  my  w^fe  ?  '' 

He  attempted  to  draw  her  towards  him,  but  she 
took  both  his  hands  in  hers,  grown  cold  as  marble. 

^^  Do  not  deceive  yourself,  Godfrey :  it  does 
matter.  The  happiness  of  all  our  days  hangs  upon 
the  truth.  If  you  cannot  find  words  to  tell  me 
because  you  would  spare  me  every  pain,  then  I 
must  speak.  The  girl,  so  sad  in  fate,  that  you  saw 
dying,  dear,  reminded  you  in  some  way  of  Milly — 
how,  I  cannot  say ;  only  I  know  a  consciousness 
was  wakened  that  will  not  let  you  rest.  I  believe 
a  voice  warns  you  that  our  marriage  would  prove 


A   MAK'S   CONSCIENCE.  291 

you  a  traitor  to  your  best  self.  Could  I,  loving 
you  with  all  my  soul^  let  you  brand  yourself  in 
your  own  eyes  ? 

^'  Tell  me  what  you  have  heard,  for  some  news 
has  reached  you  from  Milly.  Does  she  know  of 
our  engagement,  and  has  she  forbidden  our  mar- 
riage ?  ^^ 

Godfrey  answered  only  that  he  had  heard 
nothing  directly  from  her. 

^^Did  she  reluctantly  give  you  up,  then  ?^'-  she 
went  on  with  the  persistence  of  an  examining 
lawyer. 

^^I  do  not  believe  that  she  ever  gave  me 
up.^^ 

^'^Has  she,  then,  been  deceived — entrapped? 
Does  she  still  look  for  your  return  to  fulfil  the 
solemn  pledge  you  made  her  ? '' 

^^She  has  been  deceived — duped,  if  you  will; 
but  I  swear  to  you,  Gwendolen,  not  willingly  by 
me.  My  letters  were  interfered  with — hidden  or 
destroyed ;  they  never  reached  her.  Hers  to  me 
met  wdth  the  same  fate.  One  I  thought  dictated 
by  her,  which  gave  me  back  my  liberty,  I  believe 
to  have  been  a  forgery.  All  this  treachery  I  now 
know  to  have  been  the  work  of  a  low,  illiterate 
scoundrel,  who  became  my  enemy  through  his  own 
misdeeds.  Milly  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  re- 
sult ;  from  first  to  last  she  has  been  the  victim, 
suffering  through  no  fault  of  her  own.  I  have 
only  known  the  truth  for  a  short  time,  Gwen,  and 
I  tried  to  put  the  thought  away  from  me,  not  hold- 


292  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

ing  myself  responsible.  But  the  girl  last  night — 
0  Gwen  !  she  looked  like  Milly  :  and  I  must  tell 
you  the  truth  :  she,  too,  lies  dying/'' 

There  was  no  sign  of  wavering  in  Gwendolen's 
set  face,  though  suffering  had  already  changed 
some  of  the  youthful  lines  there. 

^^  Godfrey,  there  is  but  one  way  open  to  us.  You 
know  what  must  be,  my  beloved.  We  must  give 
up  our  hopes,  our  plans — our  lives,  if  need  be — to 
the  righting  of  this  wrong.  That  we  are  not  im- 
mediately to  blame  for  the  misery  of  the  result 
does  not  free  us  from  responsibility  now  that  we  do 
understand.  You  tell  me  that  Milly  is  dying  for 
love  of  you.  I  will  do  better  :  I  will  live  that  I 
may  show  you  how  I  loved  you.  You  must  not  hesi- 
tate any  longer,^'  she  went  on,  the  unnatural  stead- 
iness in  her  voice  betraying  what  her  words  cost ; 
^^you  must  go  to  her.''' 

Godfrey  put  out  his  hand  as  if  to  ward  off  a 
blow. 

^^Let  me  speak  while  I  can,''  she  went  on. 
'^Neither  you  nor  I  have  courage  to  take  upon  us 
our  marriage  vows,  knowing  that  we  betray  our 
souls  in  the  act.  For  your  sake — for  my  sake — 
even  if  her  life  did  not  hang  in  the  balance,  you 
must  leave  me  and  go  to  her.  I  have  loved  you 
well — better  than  myself,  dear  heart,  when  I  can 
thus  bid  you  go." 

Every  vestige  of  color  had  deserted  cheek  and 
brow,  until  they  seemed  as  waxen  as  the  flowers 
that  rested  above  them ;   only  a  steadfast  light 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  293 

burned  still  the  same  in  her  blue  eyes,  never 
flickering  or  changing  for  a  moment. 

^'^I  do  not  believe,  Gwendolen,  my  heart's  idol, 
that  our  happiness  or  our  life  together  ends  here. 
It  is  a  decree  too  unnatural  to  be  real.  There 
must  be  some  other  way — some  escape,'^  he  added 
desperately.  '^  Can  you  trust  me  even  now,  when 
I  seem  to  be  offering  you  as  a  sacrifice  in  expiation 
for  my  faults  ?  God  knows  how  willingly  I  would 
bear  all  the  pain  and  spare  you  ! '' 

^^I  shall  trust  you  as  long  as  I  live,  Godfrey 
dear.  But  you  must  go,'''  she  said  gently,  ''  while 
I  have  courage  for  us  both." 

''  Heaven  help  us,  my  darling,  I  cannot  ! " 

He  had  taken  her  in  his  arms,  and  the  words 
seemed  torn  from  him  in  spite  of  every  effort  at 
control.  She  lay  almost  lifeless  in  his  clasp,  for 
even  her  courage  was  scarce  equal  to  the  strain  put 
upon  it.  Yet  with  a  brave  resolve  to  help  him  in 
the  extremity  of  their  pain,  she  made  an  effort  to 
speak  again. 

^^I  shall  love  you  always,  Godfrey  ;  nothing  can 
change  that.     My  heart  is  yours." 

'^  I  shall  come  back,  Gwen,"  he  said  desperately, 
hoping  he  knew  not  what.  '^  I  cannot  live  without 
you,  sweetheart." 

^'  God  keep  you  ! "  she  made  answer,  standing 
unsteadily  before  him. 

He  caught  her  to  his  breast,  pushing  back  the 
lace  from  her  face  that  he  might  drink  in  every 
line,  tint,  shade,  that  he  knew  so  well ;  then  press- 


294:  A  MAN'S   COis^SCIEi^CE. 

ing  her  lips^,  her  eyes,  her  hair,  her  wedding-veil 
which  encompassed  her,  with  kisses  she  could  no 
longer  feel,  he  carried  her  to  a  couch,  whereon 
he  laid  her,  and,  not  daring  to  look  back,  hurried 
from  the  house. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

The  great  disk  of  the  setting  sun  was  fast  dis- 
appearing below  the  slight  elevation  of  the  Pine 
Slope,  leaving  behind  the  golden  memory  of  a 
perfect  summer^s  day.  The  level  rays  projected 
from  the  West  gave  promise  of  like  to-morrows. 
As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  an  even  tint  of  prim- 
rose painted  impartially  both  earth  and  sky ;  for 
where  the  yellow  glory  of  the  great  canopy  melted 
to  the  lesser  circle  of  the  land  the  pulseless  plain 
of  ripened  grain  seemed  but  a  materialized  stretch 
of  tinted  atmosphere. 

One  could  not  have  told  in  the  veiled  light  where 
the  one  left  off  or  the  other  began.  Only,  per- , 
haps,  to  a  person  accustomed  to  the  monotonous 
level,  an  irregular  distance  inight  have  pointed  out 
the  slight  rise  of  the  Pines  or  shown  the  depression 
of  the  intersecting  Creek. 

Sitting  on  the  doorstep  facing  the  west,  Sandy 
had  for  some  time  been  attempting  to  trace  this 
slight  waving  line  on  the  horizon,  but  the  sun^s 
level  rays  were  now  causing  his  eyes  to  blink  sus- 
piciously. Indeed,  the  continued  warmth  of  the 
still  evening  air,  the  wide  area  of  monotonous 
landscape,  the  silence  in   and  about   the  house, 


296  A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

broken  only  by  the  even  click  of  Hannah's  indus- 
trious needles,  were  acting  upon  Sandy's  inward 
consciousness  with  a  compelling  power  given  only 
to  such  influences. 

The  accordion  had  dropped  from  his  heedless 
hand  with  the  discordant  wail  of  one  prolonged 
note  that  suyely  would  have  acted  as  an  irritant  on 
more  sensitive  ears.  On  this  occasion  neither 
Sandy  nor  his  companion  exchanged  comment  of 
any  kind,  Hannah  being  absorbed  for  the  moment 
in  the  intricacies  of  turning  a  heel,  while  Sandy, 
between  sleeping  and  waking,  realized  only  the 
drowsy  influence  of  the  hour. 

His  head,  pillowed  against  the  hard  casement  of 
the  door,  was  already  nodding  in  convulsive  jerks 
that  threatened  dislocation.  However,  nothing 
more  serious  happened  than  the  entire  neglect  of 
the  well-loved  musical  instrument,  which  pres- 
ently fell  with  a  thud  on  the  doorstep,  evoking  a 
guttural  expletive  from  Hannah  that  summed  up 
her  entire  contempt  for  the  sex  of  which  Sandy 
was  the  condemned  exponent. 

His  sleepy  nods  had  at  last  become  stationary 
by  reason  of  a  decisive  forward  plunge  of  the  thin 
gray  head,  which  henceforth  found  temporary  re- 
pose on  his  own  half-exposed  breast.  A  succession 
of  low,  long-drawn  sighs  indicated  the  tranquil 
oblivion  that  now  held  Sandy  apart  from  the 
thought  of  man.  Hannah,  having  audibly  re- 
marked that  *'  brambles  and  dew ''  (pronounced 
with  ay)  were  preferable  to  listening  any  longer 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  297' 

to  his  unmelodious  utterances,  had  taken  herself 
off  to  the  clearing  behind  the  house,  where  she 
uncomfortably  poised  herself  on  the  irregular 
stump  of  a  fallen  tree,  while  she  again  addressed 
herself  to  a  proper  division  of  the  stitches  on  her 
bright  steel  needles. 

How  long  Sandy  would  have  slept,  dreaming  of 
no  one  knows  what,  would  be  impossible  to  tell, 
had  he  not  been  called  back  from  the  Arcadian 
excursion  his  brain  was  indulging  in  by  a  step  on 
the  hard  ground  near  him.  He  straightened  him- 
self with  a  jerk  that  might  have  thrown  his  verte- 
brae into  place  again  had  it  already  become  dislo- 
cated, stretched  out  his  hand  to  recover  the  col- 
lapsed accordion,  and,  with  an  effort  to  appear  as 
if  slumber  were  further  from  his  thoughts  than 
dreams  of  Mahomet,  questioned  sleepily  : 

^^Is  that  you,  Hanner  ?  I  was  jest  a  thinkin^ 
of  shuttin^  up.  Tears  as  how  they's  a  kinder  chill 
in  my  bones  now  the  sun's  sot.  Ya-as,  I'm  a- 
comin',"  in  answer  to  the  peremptory  summons  he 
expected  would  follow. 

He  got  up  slowly,  stretching  himself  like  a 
sleepy  cat,  and,  with  the  accordion  pressed  be- 
tween his  hand  and  thin  ribs,  turned  to  go  in. 
Disappointed,  perhaps,  at  having  no  rejoinder 
from  Hannah,  he  looked  slowly  about  him,  as  if 
to  perceive  the  thing  that  could  hold  her  voluble 
tongue  in  check,  and  encountered  the  eyes,  not 
many  paces  off,  of  the  one  he  had  been  wont  to 
call  Godfrey  Alleyne. 


298  A   MAIL'S   COKSCIEHCE. 

In  tho  half-light  of  the  golden  dusk  Godfrey 
stood  waiting  the  old  man's  recognition. 

Sandy^  stepping  down  one  step  until  he  w^as  on 
a  level  with  what  he  considered  an  apparition, 
made  a  thrust  at  him  with  his  disengaged  hand, 
as  though  he  would  test  the  reality  of  flesh  or 
shade  as  now  appeared.  Godfrey,  scarcely  know- 
ing what  advance  to  make,  took  refuge  in  the 
commonplace,  that  haven  that  waits  to  shelter 
those  who  wade  in  heroic  depths. 

'^  Good-evening,  Mr.  Alistair,''  he  ventured,  as 
though  terminating  a  customary  ride  by  an  expected 
welcome  from  his  host. 

Sandy  pulled  in  his  hand  ;  all  doubt  vanished. 
Those  accents  were  too  well  known  and  the  un- 
usual inflection  too  well  remembered  for  any  ques- 
tion to  remain  as  to  Godfrey's  actual  j^resence  in 
the  flesh.  Sandy  knew  his  visitor.  There  he 
stood — the  man  who  had  invaded  his  home,  who 
had  ensnared  the  innocent  heart  of  his  only  daugh- 
ter, who  had  wooed  and  won  her,  had  appeared  as 
her  affianced  husband,  and  then  deserted  her  with- 
out word  or  reason  with  the  heartlessness  of  a  vil- 
lain, the  cold-blooded  insincerity  of  a  libertine. 
All  the  distrust  of  the  past  months,  all  the  grow- 
ing resentment  that  had  possessed  Sandy  during 
the  time  of  Milly's  unhappiness  and  suffering,  rose 
within  him  now  in  a  surge  of  unexpected  vehe- 
mence. 

His  withered  frame  appeared  to  expand  with 
righteous  wrath.      His   figure   straightened  until 


A  MAN'S  co:NrsciEi^CE.  299 

he  towered  in  bony  angularity  above  his  visitor's 
bowed  head.  His  steel-blue  eyes  flashed  with  a 
fire  that  had  lain  so  long  unkindled  that  no  one 
would  have  recognized  in  them  now  their  usual 
half-quizzical,  half-pathetic  expression.  Standing 
with  his  fist  raised  as  if  to  strike,  he  uttered  the 
first  oath  Godfrey  had  ever  heard  from  his  lips. 

'^  You liar  !     What  are  you  doin'  on  my 

premises  ?  How  dare  you  come  sneakin'  here 
after  what  we  know  abaout  you  ?  They  ain^t  no 
words  in  the  hull  of  Webster's  Unabridged  to  tell 
you  half  how  I  despise  you  !  YouVe  had  yer 
last  day  of  wormin^  inter  honest  folk's  houses  and 
stealin'  out  the  treasure,  if  I've  got  any  say  in  the 
matter.  We  ain't  much,  1  dare  say,  out  here  on 
the  plains,  but  I'd  ruther  a  durned  heap  have  my 
conscience  to  live  'longside  of  day  in  and  day  out, 
than  that  of  some  that  holds  theirsel's  several  pegs 
above  us.  We  ain't  got  white  hands  mebbe,  but 
they's  clean  fer  all  that.  We  ain't  got  soft  ways 
and  melojewous  voices,  but  we're  honest,  and  thar's 
al'ay.s  the  accordion  to  fall  back  on  w^hen  thar's  need 
of  music.  I  don't  know  what  ye're  here  for  ;  'pears 
like  as  if  'twould  most  ha'  been  more  decent  to  ha' 
staid  away.  I  did  hope  I'd  never  sot  eyes  on  you, 
back  or  front,  till  doomsday.  But  now  you  air  here 
you  may  as  well  hear  what  I  think  o'  you,  you 
cowardly  villain  !  'What  do  you  want  here,  any- 
way ?  And  what  ha'  you  come  all  the  way  back 
to  the  West  fer,  just  to  make  other  folks  sw'ar? 
Ain't  Great  Britain  big  enough  to  hold  you?" 


300  A    MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

He  paused^  out  of  breath  ;  but  the  fire  did  not 
die  from  his  flashing  eye.  In  spite  of  himself, 
Godfrey  could  scarcely  meet  their  indignant  flame. 

''  I  have  come  here  with  no  impertinent  inten- 
tion, Mr.  Alistair/^  he  began  quietly.  ^'  I  wished 
to  satisfy  myself  about — your  daughter.  I  heard 
that  she  was  ill,  and  I  imagined — you  will  pardon 
me — I  imagined  I  might  have  had  something  un- 
wittingly to  do  with  her  illness.  ^^ 

^^  YouVe  come  consid^able  distance  to  arsk  after 
her  health/^  ejaculated  Sandy  contemptuously, 
narrowing  his  eyes.  ''  And  ruther  late  in  the  day, 
too,  I  don^t  mind  mentioning,  considering  letters 
and  the  mail  goin^  purty  regular,  they  tell  me, 
^tween  here  and  your  place.  You  ain't  a  fust-rate 
correspondent,  as  letters  goes,^^  he  remarked,  sub- 
siding into  sarcastic  sallies.  ^^You  wouldn^t, 
mebbe,  be  called  upon  to  act  as  secretary  to  the 
Farmers'  Home  Alliance ;  ef  yeVe  did  ^twould 
bust  as  sure  as  a  bladder.'' 

^^  I  have  no  doubt  but  what  my  action  has  ap- 
peared singular  to  you,  Mr.  Alistair,  and  I  cannot 
wonder  at  some  of  your  indignation  against  me ; 
but  when  you  accuse  me  of  wilfully  bringing  trou- 
ble upon  you  or  wronging  your  daughter,  I  must 
defend  myself.  I  have  come  here  with  honest  in- 
tentions, ready  to  repair  so  far  as  I  may  the  un- 
happy results  of  treachery  not  my  own.  I  cannot 
be  held  responsible  for  what  has  passed  here  with- 
out my  knowledge.  From  your  own  standpoint 
you  are  right  in  defending  your  daughter,  only, 


A  MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  301 

unhappily  for  me,  that  standpoint  is  an  enlightened 
one,  and  admits  of  misconception.  If  I  had  wil- 
fully robbed  your  daughter  of  her  affection  and 
then  deserted  her,  I  should  deserve  all  the  epithets 
you  have  seen  fit  to  apply  to  me.  I  do  not  resent 
them  or  retaliate  because  I  know  you  are  ignorant 
of  the  true  facts  of  the  case.^^ 

Godfrey  had  recovered  his  momentary  lapse  from 
self-possession,  and  now  faced  the  old  man  with 
eyes  as  bright  as  his  own.  He  was  ready  to  carry 
out  to  the  letter,  if  need  be,  his  design  in  coming 
here,  but  he  did  not  propose  to  let  Sandy  imagine 
himself  justified  in  the  furious  avalanche  of  words 
hurled  at  him. 

^^  If  you  will  permit  me  I  will  show  you  how  a  mis- 
understanding sprang  up  and  grew  between  Milly 
and  me  that  neither  of  us  was  to  blame  for.  You 
have  perhaps  heard  of  the  circumstances  that  re- 
called me  unexpectedly  to  England,  and  placed  me 
in  a  position  I  could  not  desert  without  danger  to 
my  mother's  life,  and  perplexity  to  those  dependent 
on  me.  I  had  no  thought  when  I  last  saw  Milly 
of  leaving  Minnesota,  or  of  being  called  upon  to 
fill  the  position  I  now  hold."-* 

*^  Tve  heerd  tell  as  how  you'd  changed  your  name, 
and  is  now  called  Lord  Galbraith,^^  muttered  Sandy, 
eyeing  Godfrey  furtively,  as  though  some  such 
announcement  might  perchance  be  found  emblaz- 
oned on  the  collar  of  his  coat. 

^^It  was  all  surprising,  sad,  and  new.  Many 
things  were  required  at  my  hands  that  never  had 


302  A   MAN'S   COiq^SCIEITCE. 

been  contemplated  by  me  before.  I  became  en- 
grossed in  my  life,  but  yet  had  no  idea  of  separating 
myself  from  Milly  or  not  returning  finally  to  the 
West.  As  time  went  on  and  I  heard  nothing  from 
her— ^^ 

''  You  must.  She  writ — more  letters  than  ever 
I  put  in  the  post-office  ^fore  in  all  my  days/"*  inter- 
rupted Sandy. 

^^  Yes,  I  know.  But  not  a  letter  of  hers  reached 
me,  not  a  line,  not  a  message.  I  wrote  to  you  for 
news  of  her.  I  sent  letters  to  the  care  of  others 
that  they  might  not  miscarry.  ^^ 

^^Um  !''  ejaculated  Sandy. 

'^  I  did  all  that  man  could  do  to  hear  from  her  or 
about  her ;  but  never,  until  one  morning,  many 
months  after  my  return  to  England,  did  a  single 
line  reach  me.  That  letter  purported  to  come 
from  you,  was  signed  with  your  name,  and  told  me 
in  plain  words  that  your  daughter  desired  her 
freedom,  and  no  longer  considered  herself  bound 
to  me  by  our  engagement.  ^^ 

For  the  second  time  within  an  hour  Sandy  was 
betrayed  into  an  unusual  oath. 

'^  There  is  no  occasion  to  enter  upon  what  fol- 
lowed, ^^  continued  Godfrey;  ^^it  does  not  concern 
us  now.  I  acted  upon  the  unmistakable  dismissal, 
no  longer  writing  to  or  expecting  to  hear  from 
Milly.  Meantime  a  new  and  strange  revelation 
was  made  to  me,  one  that  startled  me  from  any 
dream  of  content  I  was  indulging  in,  one  that  has 
shaken  my  life  to  the  foundation,  changing  every 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIENCE.  303 

purpose  I  held.  Through  Paterson  (you  will  per- 
haps recall  that  he  remained  on  my  farm  after  my 
departure  until  he  was  made  postmaster  of  the 
Cross  Eoads)  I  became  aware  of  the  suppression  of 
all  my  letters  to  Milly,  and  of  the  destruction  of 
hers  to  me.  None  ever  reached  their  destination 
that  were  consigned  to  the  custody  of  the  former 
postmaster.  Torn  pieces,  fragments  of  writing  that 
would  have  changed  all  the  aspect  of  our  lives,  I  now 
possess  ;  but  of  what  avail  are  they,  unless,  indeed, 
they  serve  to  restore  me  in  your  estimation  as  an 
honorable  man,  and  possibly  save  Milly  from  further 
distress  ?  You  ask  what  I  am  doing  here.  I  have 
come  to  make  what  restitution  I  may,  and  I  hope 
you  at  least  will  give  me  credit  for  my  intention. 
If  you  will  suggest  what  should  be  done  to  com- 
pensate for  the  trouble  I  have  unwittingly  brought 
upon  you  and  your  daughter,  you  will  find  me 
ready  to  meet  your  desire.  ^^ 

^^They  ain^t  no  talk  of  damages,^'  Sandy  began 
doubtingly,  the  whole  question  appearing  to  him 
now  in  so  different  a  light  from  any  he  had  hitherto 
viewed  it  in,  that  he  could  scarcely  follow  the  rapid 
recital  of  his  visitor  further  than  the  material 
grasping  of  the  words  he  uttered.  ^^I  ain't  lay  in' 
no  claim  fer  balance  to  a  broken  heart,"  he  con- 
tinued. ^^No,  they  ain't  no  'count  of  that  nater 
to  settle  'tween  us.  I'm  kinder  thinkin'  now  that 
I've  cooled  down  that  mebbe  they  ain't  no  justice 
in  my  cuttin'  up  so  rough  and  ridin'  my  high 
horse  'fore  I  discivered  just  how  things  stood.  After 


304  A  man's  conscience. 

all  you  wa'n't  ter  blame  fer  thinkin'  the  guii 
jilted  you.  It  looked  like  it.  I'm  durned  if  I  can 
quite  see  where  my  part  comes  in.  But  I  do  say, 
and  I'll  stick  to  it,  that  if  you  had  come  along 
abaout  that  time  when  Milly  lay  night  and  day  on 
her  bed  up-stairs,  if  you  had  arriv'  while  her  baby^ 
face  lay  against  them  pillars  as  white  as  one  of 
them,  if  I  had  beheld  you  when  the  smile  she  tried 
to  give  her  old  daddy  ended  in  a  sob  that  nigh 
broke  his  heart,  and  if  you  could  have  knowed 
the  hard  thoughts  that  riz  in  this  old  brain,  keepin^ 
it  awake  all  night,  and  half-asleep  all  day,  you^d 
ha^  knowed  suthin'  abaout  what  led  up  to  your  warm 
welcome  here  to-night.  A  man  can't  be  blamed 
fer  f ergettin'  himself  now  and  then,  when  he  ain't 
got  but  one  little  gurl  in  all  the  world,  and  he  seen 
her  a-dying  before  his  eyes,  with  no  way  of  rightin' 
the  wrong  that  he  thought  was  a-killin'  her.'' 

The  fire  had  all  died  out  from  the  old  man's 
eyes,  and  again  they  were  raised  to  Godfrey's,  as  in 
the  old  days,  with  a  pathetic  expression  of  depend- 
ence. Godfrey  could  not  meet  them  without  a 
gathering  moisture  in  his  own. 

'^  I  hope  Milly  is  better,"  he  said  gently,  by  way 
of  calling  Sandy  back  to  the  present. 

'^  Better,"  he  repeated,  as  though  still  half-dazed 
by  his  reflections.  ^^I  don't  know  ;  I  hope  so.  I 
ain't  got  her  no  longer." 

^^What  do  you  mean  ?" 

Godfrey  clutched  the  old  man's  thinly-clad  arm 
with  a  grasp  that  made  him  wince. 


A  MAN'S  COKSCIEKCE.  305 

^^  I  mean  jest  ex-actly — what — I — say/^  answered 
Sandy,  disengaging  his  arm.  ^^She  ain^t  with  me 
no  more.     She's  gone.'^ 

^^Gone  where?'' 

''  Wa'l,  away/'  with  a  distant  nod  of  the  kind 
that  might  have  meant  that  ^^  distant  bourne"  or 
the  nearer  vicinity  of  the  Cross  Eoads. 

Godfrey  breathed  hard.  He  did  not  know  what 
vista  opened  before  him,  only  for  a  moment  his 
heart  stood  still. 

^^  You  don't  mean — dead  ?  "  he  asked  in  an  awed 
whisper. 

'^  Dead,  man  alive !  What  are  you  talkin' 
abaout  ?  I  should  think  not ;  she's  gone  away  fer 
her  health.'^ 

^^  Alone?'' 

^'I  should  smile." 

^^ With  whom?" 

''  Why,  don't  ye  know  ?  With  the  pa'son.  Ain't 
you  heerd  nothin'  abaout  their  marriage  nor 
nothin'?"  with  a  compassionate  sympathy  for 
such  dense  abysms  of  ignorance.  ^' Why,  he  kep' 
comin'  right  along  all  the  time  she  lay  sick,  and 
was  a-bringin'  posies  and  a-readin'  hymns  and 
other  books  of  like  description,  till  one  day  I  see 
the  fust  glimmer  o'  change  come  into  her  pufty 
face.  He  had  brought  a  nice  lot  of  velum's  along, 
and  was  a-showin'  her  one  all  full  of  picters  of  the 
old  country.  Purty  soon  he  said  to  her,  ^How 
would  you  like  to  see  all  them  handsome  water- 
fulls  and  peaked  mountains  all  painted  pu'ple  and 

20 


306  A  MAN'S  CONSCIENCE. 

white  and  gold  ? '  Then  she  jest  turned  over  and 
cried  a  little ;  but  when  she  showed  up  agen  I 
could  have  sworn  they  was  a  wee  little  mite  of  a 
dimple  come  back  to  its  home  jest  alongside  her 
purty  mouth.  ^Twa^n^t  long  after  the  hull  thing 
was  fixed  up.  Milly  grew  better  straight  along 
after  that,  till  nigh  a  month  ago,  when  she  was 
married,  and  sailed  from  Boston  with  her  husband 
to  find  them  peaks  and  waterfulls.'''' 

Godfrey  drew  his  breath  sharply.  The  news,  so 
unlike  what  he  had  anticipated,  seemed  almost 
more  startling  than  that  he  had  braced  himself  to 
hear.  Had  Milly  indeed  been  dead,  as  he  at  first 
feared,  he  would  only  have  experienced  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  dread  that  had  kept  him  company  for 
weeks  past.  But  to  have  the  fear,  which  had 
dogged  his  footsteps  by  day  and  disturbed  his 
dreams  by  night,  thus  suddenly  vanish,  and  in 
its  place  find  freedom  of  will,  action,  and  con- 
science, was  like  a  vision  of  sunlight  after  years  of 
blind  groping  in  the  dark. 

For  the  moment  he  lost  sight  of  his  companion, 
gazing  far  away  over  the  trackless  plain  of  yellow 
grain.  In  that  moment  he  seemed  to  have  been 
born  again,  so  freely  his  heart  bounded  to  meet 
his  soul's  joy. 

He  had  found  the  answer  to  all  his  perplexities, 
and  with  it  came  a  leaping  of  the  hearths  blood 
that  made  life  tingle  within  him  even  to  the  very 
finger-tips. 

His  silence  perplexed  Sandy,  and  caused  him  to 


A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE.  307 

recollect  their  present  relative  positions.  Eegard- 
ing  the  well-formed,  clear-eyed,  stalwart  young 
Englishman,  and  remembering  that  he  had  no  fur- 
ther cause  for  resentment,  he  assumed  again  some- 
thing of  his  natural  manner  and  kindly  disposition. 

'^  You  won^t  be  goin^  back  to-night,  I'll  warrant. 
Youll  want  to  come  in  and  make  yerself  to  home 
for  the  night.  The  house  ain't  what  it  used  to  be, 
I'm  bound  to  admit ;  but  Hanner's  abaout  some- 
whars,  and  will  fix  yer  up  comfort'ble.  She'll  for- 
give you  a  sight  sooner  (and  I'm  bound  to  tell  you 
she's  been  consid'ble  sour  on  you)  if  she  has  to 
bustle  round  and  get  things  inter  shape  then  if 
she  jest  sot  down  with  a  chance  to  jaw  fer  an  hour 
on  end." 

^^  I  shall  not  come  in,  thank  you,  Mr.  Alistair. 
I  shall  be  getting  back.  It  is  particularly  neces- 
sary ;  and  you  know  I  always  used  to  like  riding  in 
the  cool  of  the  night." 

This  direct  reference  to  days  that  they  had  shared 
evidently  produced  a  further  mollifying  influence 
upon  Sandy.  He  held  out  his  thin  hand  with  a 
gesture  that  covered  every  lingering  doubt  as  to 
this  entire  forgiveness. 

*'If  I  have  done  you  wrong,  Godfrey,  I  hope 
you'll  find  it  in  your  heart  to  forgive  an  old  man. 
You  can  see  fer  yerself  how  ^twas — my  only  little 
gurl,  and  she  jest  pinin'  away.  It's  turned  out 
happier  than  I  ever  tho't  'twould." 

Godfrey  took  the  hand  almost  reverently  in  his 
own  as  he  said  : 


308  A   MAN'S   CONSCIENCE. 

^^  Surely  I  have  nothing  to  forgive.  If  you 
can  forget  what  has  brought  sorrow  to  us  both  and 
restore  me  in  your  estimation,  I  shall  reverence 
you  and  be  proud  to  call  you  friend  to  the  latest 
day  of  my  life.  I  can^t  tell  when  I  may  see  you 
again  ;  my  life  will  be  passed  far  from  here,  but 
wherever  I  am  I  shall  always  wish  for  you  and 
yours  a  happy  and  long  life.     Good-bye.  ^^ 

He  mounted  his  horse,  leaning  over  once  more 
to  take  the  old  man^s  hand  in  his,  and,  with  a 
smile  that  held  both  cheer  and  the  lingering  regret 
of  farewell,  rode  off  in  the  direction  of  the  Cross 
Eoads. 

The  golden  west  changed  to  dull  amethyst  and 
then  to  royal  purple.  The  plain  grew  dark,  until 
the  warm  tint  of  the  yellow  stalks  turned  to  an  in- 
definite white  sheet,  that  stretched  to  meet  a  nearer 
horizon.  Stars  one  by  one  came  out  in  the 
heavenly  blue,  lighting  with  soft  rays  the  way  that 
led  towards  Gwendolen. 


THE     END 


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Miss  Woolsoii  has  a  graceful  fancy,  a  ready  wit,  a  polished  style,  and 
conspicuous  dramatic  power ;  while  her  skill  in  the  development  of  a 
story  is  very  remarkable.— Z/ondon  Life. 

Miss  Woolson  never  once  follows  the  beaten  track  of  the  orthodox 
novelist,  but  strikes  a  new  and  richly  loaded  vein,  which  so  far  is  all 
her  own  ;  and  thus  we  feel,  on  reading  one  of  her  works,  a  fresh  sen- 
sation, and  we  put  down  the  boolc  with  a  sigh  to  think  our  pleasant 
task  of  reading  it  is  finished.  The  author's  lines  must  have  fallen  to 
her  in  very  pleasant  places ;  or  she  has,  perhaps,  within  herself  the 
wealth  of  womanly  love  and  tenderness  she  pours  so  freely  into  all 
she  writes.  Such  books  as  hers  do  much  to  elevate  the  moral  tone  of 
the  day— a  quality  sadly  wanting  in  novels  of  the  iimQ.-^Whitehall 
tteview,  London. 


Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

8^^  The  above  works  sent  by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the 
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By   AMELIE   EIVES. 

A  BROTHER  TO  DRAGONS,  and  Other  Old-time 

Tales.     Post  8vo,  Cloth,  Extra,  $1  00. 

VIRGINIA    OF    VIRGINIA.     A  Story.     Illustrated. 
Post  8vo,  Cloth,  Extra,  $1  00. 


Oue  is  permitted  to  discover  qualities  of  miud  and  a  proficiency  and 
capacity  in  art  from  wliich  something  new  and  distinctively  the  work 
of  genius  may  be  anticipated  in  American  literature. — Boston  Globe. 

Miss  Rives  has  imagination,  breadth,  and  a  daring  and  courage 
oftenest  spoken  of  as  masculine.  Moreover,  she  is  exquisitely  poet- 
ical, and  her  ideals,  with  all  the  mishaps  of  her  delineations,  are  of  an 
exalted  order N.  Y.  Star. 

It  was  little  more  than  two  years  ago  that  Miss  Rives  made  her  first 
literary  conquest,  a  conquest  so  complete  and  astonishing  as  at  once 
to  give  her  fame.  How  well  she  has  sustained  and  added  to  the  repu- 
tation she  so  suddenly  won,  we  all  know,  and  the  permanency  of  that 
reputation  demonstrates  conclusively  that  her  success  did  not  depend 
upon  the  lucky  striking  of  a  popular  fanc}',  but  that  it  rests  upon  en- 
during qualities  that  are  developing  more  and  more  richly  year  by 
year.  —Richmond  State. 

It  is  evident  that  the  author  has  imagination  in  an  unusual  degree, 
much  strength  of  expression,  and  skill  in  delineating  character. — Bos- 
ton Journal. 

There  are  few  young  writers  who  begin  a  promising  career  with  so 
much  spontaneity  and  charm  of  expression  as  is  displayed  by  Miss 
Rives. — Literary  Worlds  Boston. 

The  trait  which  the  author  seems  to  take  the  most  pleasure  in  de- 
picting is  the  passionate  loyalty  of  a  girl  to  fier  lover  or  of  a  young 
wife  to  her  husband,  and  her  portrayal  of  this  trait  has  feeling,  and  is 
Bet  oflf  by  an  unconventional  style  and  brisk  movement.— 2'Ae  Book 
Buyer,  N.  Y. 

There  is  such  a  wealth  of  imagination,  such  an  exuberance  of  strik- 
ing language  in  the  productions  of  this  author,  as  to  attract  and  hold 
the  reader. — Toledo  Blade. 

Miss  Rives  is  essentially  a  teller  of  love  stories,  and  relates  them 
with  such  simple,  straightforward  grace  that  she  at  once  captures  the 
sympathy  and  interest  of  the  reader.  .  .  .  There  is  a  freshness  of  feeling 
and  a  mingling  of  pathos  and  humor  which  are  simply  delicious.— Aet» 
London  Telegraph. 

Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

IIaupkr  &  Bbotukks  will  send  either  of  the  above  works  by  mail^ 
postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United  States  or  Canada^  on 
receipt  oftlie  price. 


BY  MARY  E.  WILKINS. 


A  New  England  Nun,  and  Other  Stories.     16mo, 
Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1  25. 


A   Humble   Romance,  and    Other   Stories.     16mo, 
Cloth,  Extra,  $1  25. 


Only  an  artistic  hand  could  have  written  these  stories,  and  they  will 
make  delightful  reading.— Evangelist,  N.  Y. 

The  simplicity,  purity,  and  quaintness  of  these  stories  set  them  apart 
in  a  niche  of  distinction  where  they  have  no  rivals. — Literary  World, 
Boston. 

The  reader  who  buys  this  book  and  reads  it  will  find  treble  his  money's 
worth  in  every  one  of  the  delightful  stories. — Chicago  Journal. 

Miss  VVilkins  is  a  writer  who  has  a  gift  for  the  rare  art  of  creating  the 
short  story  which  shall  be  a  character  study  and  a  bit  of  graphic  picturing 
in  one  ;  and  all  who  enjoy  the  bright  and  fascinating  short  story  will  wel- 
come this  volume. — Boston  Traveller. 

The  author  has  the  unusual  gift  of  writing  a  short  story  which  is  com- 
plete in  itself,  having  a  real  beginning,  a  middle,  and  an  end.  The  volume 
is  an  excellent  one. — Observer,  N.  Y. 

A  gallery  of  striking  studies  in  the  humblest  quarters  of  American 
country  life.  No  one  has  dealt  with  this  kind  of  life  better  than  Miss 
Wilkins.  Nowhere  are  there  to  be  found  such  faithful,  delicately  drawn, 
sympathetic,  tenderly  humorous  pictures. — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

The  charm  of  Miss  Wilkins's  stories  is  in  her  intimate  acquaintance 
and  comprehension  of  humble  life,  and  the  sweet  human  interest  she 
feels  and  makes  her  readers  partake  of,  in  the  simple,  common,  homely 
people  she  draws. — Springfield  Republican. 

There  is  no  attempt  at  fine  writing  or  structural  effect,  but  the  tender 
treatment  of  the  sympathies,  emotions,  and  passions  of  no  very  extraor- 
dinary people  gives  to  these  little  stories  a  pathos  and  human  feeling  quite 
their  own. — N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser. 

The  author  has  given  us  studies  from  real  life  which  must  be  the  result 
of  a  lifetime  of  patient,  sympathetic  observation.  ...  No  one  has  done 
the  same  kind  of  work  so  lovingly  and  so  well. — Christian  Register.^ 
Boston.  

Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

M^The  above  works  sent  by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  tJie 
United  States,  Canada,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


SEVEN  DREAMERS. 

A  Collection  of  Seven  Stories.  By  Annie  Trumbull 
Slosson.  pp.  286.  Post  8vo,  Cloth,  Ornamental, 
$1  25. 

A  charming  collection  of  character  sketches  and  stories 
—humorous,  pathetic,  and  romantic— of  New  England 
country  life.  The  volume  includes  "How  Faith  Came 
and  Went,"  "Botany  Bay,"  "Aunt  Bandy,"  "Fisliin' 
Jimmy,"  " Butterneggs,"  "Deacon  Pheby's  Selfish  Nat- 
ur',"  and  "  A  Speakin'  Ghost." 


They  are  of  the  best  sort  of  "  dialect "  stories,  full  of  humor 
and  quaint  conceits.  Gathered  in  a  volume,  with  a  frontispiece 
which  is  a  wonderful  character  sketch,  they  make  one  of  the 
best  contributions  to  the  light  literature  of  this  season. — Ob- 
server^ N.  Y. 

Stories  told  with  much  skill,  tenderness,  and  kindliness,  so 
much  so  that  the  reader  is  drawn  powerfully  towards  the  poor 
subjects  of  them,  and  soon  learns  to  join  the  author  in  looking 
behind  their  peculiarities  and  recognizing  special  spiritual  gifts 
in  them. — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

These  stories  are  of  such  originality,  abounding  in  deep  pa- 
thos and  tenderness,  that  one  finds  himself  in  perfect  accord 
with  the  writer  as  he  reads  of  the  hallucinations  of  these  he- 
roes.—  Watchman^  Boston. 

Dreamers  of  a  singular  kind,  they  affect  us  like  the  inhabit- 
ants of  allegories — a  walk  of  literary  art  in  which  we  have  had 
no  master  since  the  pen  dropped  from  the  faint  and  feeble  fin- 
gers of  Hawthorne,  and  which  seems  native  to  Mrs.  Slosson. — 
N.  Y.  Mail  and  Express, 

The  sweetness,  the  spiciness,  the  aromatic  taste  of  the  forest 
has  crept  into  these  tales. — Philadelphia  Ledger. 


Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

t^'The  above  work  will  he  sent  hy  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part 
of  the  United  States,  Canada,  or  Mexico,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


BY  MRS.  BUETON  HAEEISON. 


BAR  HARBOR  DAYS.    A  Tale  of  Mount  Desert.     Il- 
lustrated by  Fenn  and  Hyde.     16mo,  Cloth,  $1  25. 

A  bright  story  of  life  at  Mouut  Desert.  ...  It  is  exceedingly  well 
done,  and  the  scenery,  the  ways  of  the  people,  and  the  social  methods 
of  the  riisticators  lend  interest  to  the  hook.— Christian  Advocate,  N.  Y. 

The  book  is  bright  and  readable.—- Courier,  Boston. 

A  delightful  book  about  Mount  Desert,  its  summer  inhabitants, 
their  sayings  and  doings. — N.  V.  Sun. 

One  of  the  most  attractive  books  of  the  season,  and  will  be  in  great 
demand  by  readers  who  wish  an  original,  captivating  summer  idyl.— 
Hartford  Post. 

HELEN  TROY     16mo,  Cloth,  $1  00. 

It  is  a  breezy  little  society  novel,  with  a  pretty  plot  and  a  number 
of  capitally  drawn  characters.  ...  It  is  always  bright,  fresh,  and  en- 
tertaining, and  has  an  element  of  naturalness  that  is  particularly 
pleasing.  The  descriptions  are  very  spirited,  the  conversations  are 
full  of  point  and  often  genuinely  witty,  and  the  tone  of  the  whole  is 
both  refined  and  ^e\\Q,fiiQ.— Saturday  Evening  Gazette,  Boston. 

The  book  is  written  wiih  exceeding  cleverness,  and  abounds  in  de- 
lightful little  pictures.— T'/ie  Critic,  N.  Y. 

Mrs.  Harrison's  style  is  crisp,  epigrammatic,  piquant ;  she  shades 
her  characters  artistically,  paints  from  real  life,  and,  without  hurrying 
the  reader  along,  never  lets  her  story  drag.  .  .  .  The  merit  of  the  work 
lies  in  the  fidelity  of  its  portraiture  and  the  felicity  of  its  utterance.— 
N.  Y.  Herald. 

GOLDEN  ROD  ,  AN  IDYL  OF  MOUNT  DE&ERT, 
32mo,  Paper,  25  cents ;  Cloth,  40  cents. 

A  very  sweet  little  story  of  a  successful  courtship,  wrought  into  a 
charming  description  of  scenery  and  life  on  Mouut  DQSQvi.— Spring- 
field (111.)  State  Journal. 

This  is  a  most  charming  summer  story— "An  Idyl  of  Mount  Des- 
ert"— the  mere  reading  of  which  makes  you  long  to  be  there,  and  to 
feel  sure  you  will  find  the  delightful  people,  and  just  in  the  particular 
nooks,  you  have  been  reading  viboni.  —  Galeshurg  (111.)  Republican 
Register, 


Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

4^  The  above  works  sent  by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the 
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BEN-HUE:  A  TALE  OF  THE  CHEIST. 

By  Lew.  Wallace.    New  Edition  from  New  Electrotype 
Piates.     pp.  560.    16mo,  Cloth,  $1  50;  Half  Calf,  $3  00. 


Anything  so  startling,  new,  and  distinctive  as  the  leading  feature  of 
this  romance  does  not  often  appear  in  works  of  fiction.  . .  .  Some  of 
Mr.  Wallace's  writing  is  remarkable  for  its  pathetic  eloquence.  The 
scenes  described  in  the  New  Testament  are  re-written  with  the  power 
and  skill  of  an  accomplished  master  of  style.— .V.  Y.  Times. 

Its  real  basis  is  a  description  of  the  life  of  the  Jews  and  Romans  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era,  and  this  is  both  forcible  and  brill- 
iant. .  .  .  We  are  carried  through  a  surprising  variety  of  scenes;  we 
witness  a  sea-fight,  a  chariot-race,  the  internal  economy  of  a  Roman 
galley,  domestic  interiors  at  Antioch,  at  Jerusalem,  and  among  the 
tribes  of  the  desert;  palaces,  prisons,  the  haunts  of  dissipated  Roman 
youth,  the  houses  of  pious  families  of  Israel.  There  is  plenty  of  ex- 
citing incident;  everything  is  animated,  vivid,  and  glowing.— iV.  Y. 
Tribune. 

From  the  opening  of  the  volume  to  the  very  close  the  reader's  in- 
terest will  be  kept  at  the  highest  pitch,  and  the  novel  will  be  pro- 
nounced by  all  one  of  the  greatest  novels  of  the  day. — Boston  Post. 

It  is  full  of  poetic  beauty,  as  though  born  of  an  Eastern  sage,  and 
there  is  sufiicient  of  Oriental  customs,  geography,  nomenclature,  etc., 
to  greatly  strengthen  the  semblance. — Boston  Commonwealth. 

*'  Ben-IIur  "  is  interesting,  and  its  characterization  is  fine  and  strong. 
Meanwhile  it  evinces  careful  study  of  the  period  in  which  the  scene  is 
laid,  and  will  help  those  who  read  it  with  reasonable  attention  to  real- 
ize the  nature  and  conditions  of  Hebrew  life  in  Jerusalem  and  Ro- 
man life  at  Antioch  at  the  time  of  our  Saviour's  advent.— Examiner^ 
N.  Y. 

It  is  really  Scripture  history  of  Christ's  time,  clothed  gracefully  and 
delicately  in  the  flowing  and  loose  drapery  of  modern  fiction.  .  . .  Few 
late  works  of  fiction  excel  it  in  genuine  ability  and  interest.— i\r.  Y. 
Graphic. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  and  delightful  books.  It  is  as  real  and 
warm  as  life  itself,  and  as  attractive  as  the  grandest  and  most  heroic 
chapters  of  history.— Indianapolis  Journal. 

The  book  is  one  of  unquestionable  power,  and  will  be  read  with  un- 
wonted interest  by  many  readers  who  are  weary  of  the  conventional 
novel  and  romance.— Boston  Journal. 


Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 

1^^  The  above  work  sent  by  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the 
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